Lead
Toxic or Not?
What is Lead?
Physical and chemical properties
Soft, Malleable, ductile,
Blueish white color, a bright luster,
Resistant to corrosion, poor conductor
82nd Element on the Periodic Table
Fun Facts
Back then
Lead pipes were originally used by the Romans
They did not know the harmful effects of lead poisoning
Lead poisoning helped cause the downfall of the Roman Empire
Used as an additive in face paint
Whitening make-up
Preservative for food and drink
Pesticides
Today/Modern Time
Radiation Shields for X-rays and nuclear reactors
Absorber of sound and vibration
Common Products that Include Lead
Lead pipes
Ammunition
Paint chips
Automobile emissions
Lead-acid batteries
Fertilizers and pesticides
Solder
- Industrial material
Health and Environmental Dangers
Health impacts
Damages the central nervous system
Can cause weakness in the body’s joints
Can damage organs
Harms the ability to form red blood cells
Lead poisoning can lead to death
Environmental impacts
Microorganisms can be wiped out
Slows the decomposition rate of matter
Population rates of plants, microorganism and invertebrates are affected
Soil can absorb lead and the lead can stay there for many years
Coats the surface of the leaves (on plants) and reduces the sunlight that comes in, weaking or killing the plant
Long term lead exposure can kill animals
Reducing the Risk of Lead
How to reduce exposure to toxin
Buy non-lead based paint
Do not create lead pipes
Clean floors and windows from dust, which may contain lead dust
Shower and clean yourself
Do not burn lead based items near house (such as lead paint)
Do not use lead bullets
Try and avoid using solder
Alternative Products you can buy
Water paint or any other type of paint
Other metal pipes (Aluminum, steel, etc)
Any other type of bullets
Works Cited
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 30 Dec. 2015. Web. 21 Mar. 2016.
"Classes of Toxic Substances." Healthy Building Science. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2016.
"Facts About Benzene." CDC. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2016.
Häggström, Mikael. Symptoms of Lead Poisoning. Digital image. Wikipedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2016.
Lavinsky, Rob. Lead Ore. Digital image. Wikipedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2016.
Lead. Digital image. The Mystic Corner. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2016.
"Learn about Lead." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2016.
Periodic Table - Lead. Digital image. Cliparts Co. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2016.
"The Element Lead." It's Elemental -. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2016.
"Tox Town - Benzene - Toxic Chemicals and Environmental Health Risks" Tox Town - Benzene - Toxic Chemicals and Environmental Health Risks. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2016.
"Tox Town - Benzene - Toxic Chemicals and Environmental Health Risks" Tox Town - Carbon Monoxide - Toxic Chemicals and Environmental Health Risks. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2016.
"Tox Town - Benzene - Toxic Chemicals and Environmental Health Risks" Tox Town - Lead - Toxic Chemicals and Environmental Health Risks. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2016.