Lead is a useful & commonly used metal by humans for thousands of years. But it is also a very dangerous poison, especially for kids, when it is accidentally inhaled or injected.
When it comes to the health impacts of lead, it doesn’t matter if a person absorbs, swallows or breath-in lead particles, the health impact will be the same. Although, the human body absorbs higher levels of lead when it’s breathed in.
In human bodies, when lead is absorbed – it is stored in the bones, body tissues, and blood. And it doesn’t only stay there permanently, instead, it is stored there as a source of continual internal exposure.
And as we grow up, our bones demineralize and the internal exposures may increase while causing serious health problems.
Also, read our latest blog post about How To Improve Bad Taste of Water
Health Effects Caused By Short-Term Exposure To Lead
Lead poisoning occurs when a person is exposed to a very high level of lead for a short period of time. The affected person may face these kinds of health problems:
· Tired
· Headachy
· Abdominal pain
· Memory weakness
· Loss of appetite
· Weakness
However, all of these problems may occur slowly or may be caused by other things also. But don’t worry, lead poisoning can be easily treated.
Moreover, very high exposure to lead can cause weakness, anaemia, kidney or brain damage, and even death.
In addition, lead can even cross the placental barrier, which means pregnant women who are exposed to lead can also expose their unborn child. Lead can damage the nervous system of the unborn child.
According to research, lead affects kids more than adults. Because kids tend to show slow signs of severe lead toxicity at lower levels as compared to adults.
Health Effects Caused By Long-Term Exposure to Lead
People suffering from long-term exposure to lead may also be at risk for high blood pressure, heart problems, and kidney problems.
According to the Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) and the International Agency of Research on Cancer (IARC), lead is probably cancer-causing in human bodies.
A person who is exposed long-term exposure to lead may feel:
· Depressed
· Distracted
· Irritable
· Constipated
How To Remove Lead From Drinking Water
More than 10 million homes across the united states bring drinking water into their homes through lead pipes. So, if you’re one who suspects that your home is among them, there are multiple things you can do to eliminate lead from your drinking water.
How Lead Get into the drinking water
According to a survey, lead found in drinking water is most commonly the result of lead pipes that supply drinking water to people’s homes.
Because as time passes, the lead pipes start to corrode, which dissolves harmful metal & impurities in the drinking water.
Different Ways To Remove Lead From Drinking Water
Knowing how to eliminate lead from your drinking water allows you to use your main source of water without contamination risk. Below, we have discussed three major methods recommended by the Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDCP). So, let’s take a look at them!
Reverse Osmosis Water Filteration System:
As the name suggests, reverse osmosis is a process in which the water filter reverses the flow of water while forcing it to pass through a semi-permeable membrane.
In simple words, a reverse osmosis water filter can eliminate up to 99% of bad contaminants from drinking water including lead, chlorine, and fluorine.
So, having a water filter installed in your home will definitely prevent lead from getting into your drinking water while making it healthier & safer for your family.
Activated Carbon Filters:
Using an activated carbon filter is also a useful way of removing all bad contaminants including lead from your drinking water. the carbon absorbs organic molecules and traps them within the carbon pores while allowing clean & fresh to pass through.
Although, with the passage of time – the surface of these water filters becomes saturated and must be replaced for effective working.
We recommend you frizzlife water filter; this filter can be installed in a few minutes without the help of a professional plumber.
Distillation:
When using distillation as part of your water treatment solution; this method involves heating the drinking water to a specific boiling point while collecting the condensation and leaving bad contaminants behind.
Distillation is a highly effective method of removing impurities like chlorine, chromium and other chemical contaminants from water.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lead
What is lead?
Lead is a cumulative toxicant that can affect multiple components of the human body, and it is really dangerous for children. Lead in the human body travels to the brain, liver, kidney, and bones as well. Moreover, it is stored in teeth & bones.
Why lead is dangerous for human health?
Lead is dangerous for humans because it interferes with numerous enzymes inside the cells of human organs. This results in symptoms like muscle pain and tiredness. It can also damage the nervous system by interfering with brain cells.
What are the common sources of lead?
Some most common sources of lead are as follows:
· Lead-based paint
· Kid's toys & jewellery
· Workplace & Hobby Hazards
· Contaminated soil
How you can avoid lead?
There are multiple ways to avoid lead, some of them are as follows:
· Wash your hands frequently
· Clean dusty surfaces around you
· Remove your shoes before entering the house
· Do not allow your kids to play on soil
· Take healthy diet
Final Words:
That’s all we have about lead and its impact on human health. We have tried our best to provide you most relevant & useful information about this topic. But if you still have any concerns, then please don’t hesitate to contact us!