Exposure to Lead: Toxicity, Estimations and Prevention

Lead has been used by humans from time immemorial. The harmful effects of exposure to lead were recognized as early as second century BC. Exposure to lead has been frought with health hazards such as blindness, brain damage, renal illness, convulsions, and cancer. Lead toxicity is mostly due to distortion of enzymes and structural proteins, but this versatile toxicant also affects a variety of additional targets. The exposure to lead can be estimated by measuring blood lead levels. Various sensitive techniques are available for estimation of lead in the body fluids. High levels of lead can be treated with Lead chelation using the chelating agent that has a higher affinity for lead than calcium. The exposure to lead can also be controlled through various measures. Creating awareness about exposure to lead and implementation of control measures, both at community levels as well as individual level will help in reducing the harmful effects of lead.