How does a toxic level of lead affect the human body?
In the body, lead can affect hematologic (blood), renal, neuromuscular, gastrointestinal, central nervous, and reproductive systems. At lower levels of exposure, lead poisoning leads to hyperirritability, poor memory, and sluggishness. At high levels, mental retardation, epileptic convulsions, coma, and even death may occur. Except at high levels, lead toxicity is believed to be reversible, excluding late renal and some central nervous system effects. Lead affects the body in these systems by interfering with blood cell formation. Children are of special concern regarding lead poisoning for three major reasons. First, children have a higher basal metabolic rate, which affects the absorption and metabolism of toxicants. Second, children have a different breathing zone than most adults in that they are closer to the ground or floor where lead is deposited. Third, children have rapid growth and differentiation of cells. Because the nervous systems of children are still developing and thei
