What are the common physical symptoms and effects of lead poisoning?
Early symptoms may include headaches, stomach-aches, tiredness, mood changes, digestive problems, poor appetite, and nausea. The long-term effects depend on the length and level of exposure. Low levels can cause developmental, learning, and behavioral problems, including impaired growth, loss of intellect, hyperactive behavior, ADD, and ADHD. High levels of lead poisoning can cause brain damage, mental retardation, anemia, liver damage, kidney damage, and hearing loss. Very high levels of lead poisoning can cause brain swelling, convulsions, coma, and even death. Who are the most common victims of lead poisoning? Infants and young children are most at risk since they are more likely to eat paint chips, be on the floor where lead-based paint chips, dirt, or dust can be found, and place contaminated objects into their mouth. They are also more vulnerable because the lead is more easily absorbed into their growing bodies. A child’s brain, still in its developmental stages, is much more su
