Lead poisoning in adults

Kohler PF Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA To determine lead poisoning process to evaluate the use of the oral chelator of lead, Succimer, in the diagnosis and treatment of lead poisoning in adults National Center for Research Resources ... 

Schneitzer L, Osbom HH, Bierman A, et al. 1990. Lead poisoning in adults from renovation of an older home. Ann Emerg Med 19 415-420. 

Lead poisoning can cause high blood pressure, especially in men. Other symptoms of lead poisoning in adults are kidney malfunction, infertility, loss of hand coordination and strength, peripheral nerve damage, and hearing problems.Lead can also interfere with the formation of red blood cells, causing anemia. The more research that is done, the more we discover that ever lower levels of lead cause medical problems. 

Children are more vulnerable to lead poisoning than adults. Children are exposed to lead all through their lives. They can be exposed to lead in the womb if their mothers have lead in their bodies. Babies can swallow lead when they breast feed, or eat other foods and drink water that contains lead. Babies and children can swallow and breathe lead in dirt, dust, or sand while they play on the floor or ground. These activities make it easier for children to be exposed to lead than adults. The dirt or dust on their hands, toys, and other items may have lead particles in it. 

The lead (II) ion also is toxic to fishes and plants. In a recent report on lead poisoning, an adult was hospitalized due to severe anemia and other health-related problems. A high lead-blood concentration was found in all the family members. Subsequently, it was discovered that the family was eating flour contaminated with a high level of lead (38.7 mg/g). 

Anonymous. Asian remedy for menstrual cramps ( Koo Sar Pills )—lead poisoning in an adult reported. WHO Pharm Newslett 1999 5/6 6. 

Chiba M, Toyoda T, Inaba Y, et al Acute lead poisoning in an adult from ingestion of paint (letter). N Engl J Med 303 459, 1980... 

BLLs of 20-44 mcg/dl indicate moderate lead poisoning, in addition to preventative measures, this group may warrant treatment with chelation therapy. BLLs above 45 mcg/dl are considered to be severe lead poisoning, and is likely to cause G1 symptoms in adults and children. Chelation therapy should be commenced in these patients. Finally, levels above 69 meg/ dl is a medical emergency with high risk of acufe CNS symptoms. It warrants chelation therapy and the patient cannot be released from hospital imtil safe lead free environment is ensured. 

Eigure 23. Symptoms associated with lead poisoning in children (a) and adults (h), and the corresponding BLL (in pg dL ) at which onset of the symptoms typically occurs. Basehne BLLs in the United States are typically 2-3 pg dL ( 0.1 pAf) onset of lead poisoning in children is usually considered to occur at 10 pg dL ( 0.5 pAf). Onset of lead poisoning occurs at much higher BLLs in adults ( 40 pg dL ). [Adapted from (22a).]... 

Vi. Dosage and method of administration for lead poisoning (adults and children). Note Administration of EDTA should never be a substitute for removal from lead exposure. In adults, the federal OSHA lead standard requires removal from occupational lead exposure of any worker with a single blood lead concentration in excess of 60 mcg/dL or an average of three successive values in excess of 50 mog/dL. (However, recent declines in background lead levels and concern over adverse health effects of lower-level exposure support removal at even lower levels). Prophylactic chelation, defined as the routine use of chelation to prevent elevated blood lead concentrations or to lower blood lead levels below the standard In asymptomatic workers, is not permitted. Consult the local or state health department or OSHA (see Table IV-3, p 525) for more detailed information. 

We may be using ceramic pieces made before 1971 when these regulations were passed. Also, foreign-made ceramics brought into this country by tourists and immigrants have been responsible for numerous cases of severe lead poisoning in children and adults alike. 

Our first experiments were related to the effect of age on lead metabolism with the purpose to evaluate whether young are more prone to lead poisoning than adults. In particular, attempts were made to determine whether differences in lead metabolism due to pregnancy, lactation and neonatal age were sufficient indication to reconsider standards for lead exposure in the youngest age group. In these experiments 203p] was used in toxicokinetic studies. 

These findings leave little doubt of the extent of lead poisoning in Lowell nor do they leave much doubt about its cause. The Board of Health did not explore the effects of Lowell s lead problem on the unborn and the very young, but given the serious symptoms that had emerged among the adult population it is not difficult to surmise what was happening to the former. 

The alimentary symptoms may be overshadowed by neuromuscular dysfunction, accompanied by signs of motor weakness that may progress to paralysis of the exterior muscles or the wrist (wrist drop), and less often, of the ankles (foot drop). Encephalopathy, the most serious result of lead poisoning, frequendy occurs in children as a result of pica, ie, ingestion of inorganic lead compounds in paint chips this rarely occurs in adults. Nephropathy has also been associated with chronic lead poisoning (147). The toxic effects of lead may be most pronounced on the developing fetus. Consequendy, women must be particulady cautious of lead exposure (148). The U.S. Center for Disease Control recommends a blood level of less than 10 p.m per 100 mL for children. 

Lead is a poisonous metal that especially affects children because they retain a larger fraction of lead than adults da Lead levels of0.250 ppm in a child cause delayed cognitive development How many moles of lead present in 1.00 g of a child s blood would 0.250 ppm represent ... 

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