A perspective Study on Lead Poisoning: Exposure, Effects and Treatment

Abstract

Current studies focus on various aspects of lead ‘s poisoning, its distribution and interaction routes, adverseeffects on human body and treatment procedures. Lead metal has been involved in human exercise from the past 6000years. In ancient cultures, lead was applied in the production of kitchen utensils, food pantries and other decorativeitems. Lead poisoning in developing countries is considered as a major risk factor and its exposure routes may involvefood, paint, soil, water and other lead containing products. The distribution of lead from blood to tissues takes 4 to 6weeks. Lead is poisonous to humans and has the most damaging effects on hemopoietic system. Some of the visibleeffected systems are nervous, reproductive and excretory systems. Lead poisoning can be treated using chelating agentswhich undergo complexation with lead and are then excreted through urinary tract.

Role of Heavy Metals and Anthropogenic Activities in Water Contamination

“…Lead is poisonous to human beings and severely affects excretory, reproductive and nervous systems [49]. Children are affected by drinking juices or eating foods whose preparation involved lead contaminated water [50].…”

Evaluation of Drinking Water Contamination in Vehari Region (Pakistan)

“…Water is polluted by several contaminants (Shakoor and Nasar, 2016) e.g., pathogens e.g., viruses, bacteria, protozoa's etc. (Abbas et al, 2014), inorganic pollutants, e.g., metals, acids, salts (Chaudhari et al, 2019;Haq, 2005; Rehman et al, 2019; Ullah et al, 2019), numerous anions and cations e.g., Ca +2 , Mg +2 , F − , nitrates, phosphate, sulphates, etc. (Ali et al, 1996;Ullah et al, 2009), dyes (Hussain et al, 2023), pure organic compounds e.g., pesticides, oils and many waterbased radioactive materials Rasool et al, 2016).…”

“…The observed ranges of pH (7.3-7.7), phosphatic compounds (0.001-0.006 mg/L), oils and fats (<1) were found within the WHO limits. The values of electrical conductivity(896-1875µS), total dissolved solids (400-8000 mg/L), and total suspended solid (1200-2800mg/L) were exceeded by WHO limits in Muslim Town, TBZ Colony, Vehari Zoo, Stadium Road,[9][10][11] Sharqi Colony, and Danewal areas of Vehari. The investigated groundwater of Tehsil Vehari was found to be unfit for human consumption, and a dire need was felt for removing pollutants from this water before its consumption for drinking purposes in Tehsil Vehari.…”

Choice of Suitable Economic Adsorbents for the Reduction of Heavy Metal Pollution Load

“…Tremendous quantities of wastewater containing heavy metals (like Cu, Hg, As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn and Ni etc.) are released by industries (like photographic film production, petroleum refining, wood processing units, electroplating, paint, dyes, pigments, textile, tannery, leather) into the aquatic environment and enter into the food chains resulting in carcinogenicity, mutagenesis and many other adverse effects [3][4][5][6]. Their toxicity and mobility in an aqueous system greatly affect vegetation, animals and human beings [7].…”