Evaluation and management of lead exposure

Abstract

Lead, which is widely used in industry, is a common element found in low concentrations in the Earth’s crust. Implementations to reduce environmental lead concentrations have resulted in a considerable reduction of lead levels in the environment (air) and a sustained reduction in the blood lead levels of the average citizen. However, people are still being exposed to lead through a variety of routes in everyday commodities.Lead causes health problems such as toxicity of the liver, kidneys, hematopoietic system, and nervous system. Having a carcinogenic risk as well, the IARC classifies inorganic lead compounds as probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A). Occupational lead poisonings have decreased due to the efforts to reduce the lead concentrations in the working environment. In contrast, health hazards associated with long-term environmental exposure to low concentrations of lead have been reported steadily. In particular, chronic exposure to low concentrations of lead has been reported to induce cognitive behavioral disturbances in children.It is almost impossible to remove lead completely from the human body, and it is not easy to treat health hazards due to lead exposure. Therefore, reduction and prevention of lead exposure are very important. We reviewed the toxicity and health hazards, monitoring and evaluation, and management of lead exposure.

Polymorphism of genes encoding proteins of DNA repair vs. occupational and environmental exposure to lead, arsenic and pesticides

“…Do niekorzystnych efektów, jakie wywiera ten metal, można zaliczyć uszkodzenia układów: nerwowego, krwionośnego, krwiotwórczego i rozrodczego, a także nerek oraz wątroby [6,7]. Podczas zatrucia ołowiem może dojść do uszkodzenia istoty białej mózgu.…”

“…Zmiany te mogą następnie wywoły-wać zaburzenia w ekspresji genów, hamowanie procesów naprawy DNA i stymulację syntezy DNA [9]. Mię-dzynarodowa Agencja Badań nad Rakiem (International Agency for Research on Cancer -IARC) klasyfikuje nieorganiczne związki ołowiu jako prawdopodobnie rakotwórcze dla ludzi (grupa 2A) [6].…”

Lead Poisoning: Awareness in Medical and Non-Medical Population of Karachi

“…Figure 7 represents the finding that 51% literate laypersons and 78% medical professionals agreed that other nutrients like Vitamin B1 and Vitamin D also help to excrete lead from brain and bone respectively, while only 7% illiterate laypersons showed positive thinking about this. Literature evaluation also showed that vitamin D can play a role in decreasing the quantity of lead stored in the bone, and B1 (thiamine), specifically increases excretion of lead from the brain [17]. About the role of herbal remedies to overcome lead poisoning survey studies and Figure 8 showed that 25% literate laypersons and 35% medical professionals have not any idea but 20% laypersons and 45% medical professionals said that herbal remedies like turmeric, Glycerrhiza glabra and fennel seeds all are helpful in reducing lead poisoning while 47% illiterate laypersons said that turmeric is helpful in reducing lead poisoning.…”

“…Vitamin D and Vitamin B9 (Folate) act by increasing lead absorption in the body which leads to decreased concentration of lead stores in body. Vitamin B1 (thiamine) increases lead excretion from brain [17]. In pharmacological treatment, chelation therapy can be used.…”

Aqueous IR Bagendit rice leaf extract decreases reticulocyte count in lead-exposed rats

“…Exposure to lead at 10 µg/dl may already inhibit ALAD, causing accumulation of aminolevulinic acid, so resulting in failure of heme synthesis that carries the risk of anemia. (6) Cases of anemia are usually also accompanied by an increase in reticulocyte count. A low reticulocyte count indicates aplasia or disorders of the bone marrow.…”