How does lead affect the body?
Exposure to lead, at doses below those which bring children to medical attention, is associated with increased aggression, disturbed attention and delinquency. In the 1970s, Dr. Needleman was the first to discover cognitive effects in children who had been exposed to lead. Though they had no visible signs of lead poisoning, they had significantly lower scores on IQ tests. As a result of these studies and others, lead has now been recognized as a serious environmental health hazard. His latest research shows that even very low levels of lead found in bone, can affect brain development. Lead has been shown to cause damage to the brain, blood-forming system and the kidneys. Lead may also cause fatigue, the inability to concentrate, abdominal pain, irritability and memory loss. Children with high levels of lead can suffer from damage to the brain and nervous system, behavior and learning problems (such as hyperactivity), slowed growth, hearing problems and headaches. Lead is also harmful f
Lead has been shown to cause damage to the brain, blood-forming system and the kidneys. Lead may also cause fatigue, the inability to concentrate, abdominal pain, irritability and memory loss. Children with high levels of lead can suffer from damage to the brain and nervous system, behavior and learning problems (such as hyperactivity), slowed growth, hearing problems and headaches. Lead is also harmful for adults. Adults can suffer from difficulties during pregnancy, reproductive problems, high blood pressure, digestive problems, nerve disorders, memory and concentration problems and muscle and joint pain.
