Inhalation, of lead

Lead is absorbed into the human body after inhalation of the dust or ingestion of lead-containing products. Contamination of smoking materials in the work area leads to inhalation of lead fumes and constitutes a main factor in lead absorption. 

Experimental Studies on the Inhalation of Lead by Human Subjects. Pure... 

People living near hazardous waste sites may be exposed to lead via ingestion of contaminated water or soils or by inhalation of lead particles in the air. For people not living in the vicinity of hazardous waste sites, the major route of exposure to lead is ingestion, particularly of lead-contaminated water, food, soil, lead-based paint chips, or dusts (the latter two are particularly relevant to children in lower-income urbanized populations). For occupationally exposed individuals, the predominant route of exposure is the inhalation of lead particles with oral ingestion also important in many cases. 

Habashi N, Kruszewski S. 1987. Lead encephalopathy from inhalation of leaded gasoline in an adult. Meeting of the Society for Research and Education in Primary Care Internal Medicine, San Diego, CA, April 30-May 1. Clin Res 35 743A. 

Fortoul, T.I. et al., Sex differences in bronchiolar epithelium response after the inhalation of lead acetate, Toxicology 207, 323, 2005. 

Toxicology. Lead arsenate may cause lead and/or arsenic intoxication arsenic symptoms likely predominate in acute intoxication, whereas prolonged inhalation of lead arsenate may induce the symptoms of lead intoxication. ... 

Bingham E, Barkley W, Zerwas M, et al. 1972. Responses of alveolar macrophages to metals. I. Inhalation of lead and nickel. Arch Environ Health 25 406-414. 

Seshia SS, Rajani KR, Boeckx RL, et al. 1978. The neurological manifestations of chronic inhalation of leaded gasoline. Dev Med Child Neurol 20 323-334. 

Lead is present in the work atmosphere as fumes, mists (e.g., produced by spray painting) and dust. Inhalation of lead fumes or of fine lead particles is the most important route of absorption in the working atmosphere. Lead poisoning is one of the most common occupational diseases, especially when prevention measures are not established (IPCS 1995). Further metals and their compounds that, among others, are known to cause chronic occupational intoxications at the workplace are antimony, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, manganese, mercury, nickel, thallium, and vanadium (DEG 1972-2001). 

B. Pharmacokinetics. Inhalation of lead fume or other fine, soluble particulate... 

C. Repeated, intentional inhalation of leaded gasoline has resulted in ataxia, myoclonic jerking, hyperreflexia, delirium, and convulsions. 

Lead poisoning resulting from inhalation of lead fumes when cutting or burning structures or timber that has been protected by lead paint. 

Bingham, E., Pfizer, E.A., Barkley, W., Redford, E.P., 1968. Alveolar macrophages reduced numbers in rats after prolonged inhalation of lead sesquioxide. Science 162, 1297—1299. Bunn, T.L., Marsh, J.A., Dietert, R.R., 2000. Gender differences in developmental immunotoxi-city to lead in a chicken analysis following a single early low-level exposure in ovo. J. Toxicol. Environ. Health A 61, 677—693. 

Lead, emitted primarily from smelters and battery plants, enters the body in several different ways, including inhalation of lead in air, ingestion of lead in food, or consumption of lead in water. Lead can accumulate in the body over long periods of time and damage the kidneys, liver, and nervous system. Excessive exposure causes neurological damage, producing seizures, mental retardation, and other behavioral disorders. Fetuses, infants, and children are particularly sensitive. 

The general presence of a metal as toxic as lead in the urban environment has since attracted considerable attention and the possible effects of direct inhalation of lead discharged in motor vehicle exhausts are of interest to clinicians and public health authorities. Indeed, the implications for health of the presence of lead in petrol have become a concern of environmentalists and a major public issue. The quantity of lead directly dispersed as an atmospheric pollutant every year is enormous. The total world consumption of lead for use as lead alkyl additives to petrol was estimated at 350,000 tonnes in 1970, about 70 per cent of this amount being consumed in the USA [198]. Stoker and Seager [199] have estimated that about 180,000 tonnes of lead alkyls end up in the... 

The absorption of lead from environmental sources depends on the amount of lead present, the physical state (usually characterized by particle size), and the chemical speciation. A host of factors influence the lead absorption in any individual, these include age, physiological status, quantity of food eaten or air breathed, the proportionate ingestion or inhalation of lead, body weight, and the quantity of energy expended in day-to-day acitivity. 

Caution. Do all grindings and heatings in a well-ventilated hood to avoid inhalation of lead particles that are highly toxic, and very volatile. OSHA-approved breathing masks are highly recommended. Lead is easily absorbed by the respiratory tract and is a cumulative poison. 

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