Lead
Toxicity & Symptoms
Children will typically inhale and ingest lead to a periodic blood level of 1-4 ug/dL. Presently 10 ug/dL is considered the danger threshold and poisoned children may likely exhibit 25+ ug/dL. Extreme levels of 70+ ug/dL can be deadly.
The highest risk child has a socio-economic profile: poor, urban, African-American. However, any child living in a pre-1978 home is at above average risk. Profiling is therefore a valuable diagnostic tool since early symptoms reflect many common ailments. Symptoms include:
- Stomach ache
- Cramps
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Constipation
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
In adults lead poisoning may contribute toward:
- Hypertension
- Muscle/joint pain
- Memory loss
- Stroke
Developed by Jerry Hash
Extension Housing Associate
Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service
Lexington, Kentucky 40546-0276.