What is Lead Poisoning

The major problem with lead is that since it is already a base element, it does not break down any further in the environment. It is a dangerous neurotoxin that attacks the nervous system. Young children are significantly more at risk. 30% of all children that survive treatment for acute lead poisoning suffer from some sort of physical condition including partial or total paralysis, blindness, and mental retardation. About 1.5% of children that are treated die from lead poisoning. Children that are exposed to even small levels of lead may suffer from damage to nervous system, lowered IQ, and symptoms resembling ADD and ADHD. The good news it that the number of children facing lead poisoning has dropped drastically in the recent years due to improved laws controlling the use of lead in products such as paint and gasoline. However, houses built before 1960 still pose a threat to children nationwide because they may have lead based paint.
There are a few ways to prevent lead poisoning and its effects. Some proposals include removing the use of lead based gasoline throughout the world. Waste incineration also puts lead into the air that may be inhaled by children. Regular screening for children will reduce the number of incidents related to lead poisoning. Lead is still used in many products today that may pose a threat to anyone who is exposed. In order to control the effects, we need to pass laws to reduce the lead emitted from incinerators. We need to remove the paint from houses prior to 1960 and repaint with non-leaded paint. In order to fully remove the effects of lead poisoning, we need to inspect anything that might even contain a trace of lead. This includes pipes, fixtures, soldering, TV sets and computer monitors, and candles.
Although the threat from lead has drastically been reduced in the US, there is still much concern about lead poisoning in developing countries. In most of these countries, children are suffering because of their unnecessary exposure to leaded gasoline. The World Health Organization estimates that there are upwards of 130 million global cases of lead poisoning in children. To combat this problem, we need to pass and encourage tougher legislation concerning the use of lead in common household products.