By Akpeli Othuke Andrew
There had been a great concern on the level of lead present in some consumer products such as toys and jewelry. In recent times, experts have detected dangerous levels of lead in some of the toys children play with, suck and chew. This is particularly dangerous to children under six years of age since their central nervous system is still developing. Lead inhibits a protein that is important for brain development and cognition. Studies had shown that children absorb 50 percent of lead ingested while adult usually absorb only 10 to 15 percent.
The presence of excess lead ingested can cause learning disabilities, stunted growth, attention deficit disorders, behavioural problems, impaired hearing and kidney damage in children. Pregnant women should also be careful of the amount of lead ingested because it can also harm to the fetus.
Food and drinks prepared or stored in lead glazed earthenware such as is very common in some parts of Asia and Latin American can also be contaminated with lead. Clay finished with a smooth glasslike lead can leach out especially when exposed to heat or some fruits and vegetables thereby contaminating their content.
There are other sources of lead poisoning which include tiny particles of lead emitted from vehicle which contaminate the soil along the highways and the lead dust breathed in or tracked into homes, Flaking paints use in some houses especially in the less developed world and lead pipes or lead-soldered copper pipes for water. It is advisable to let cool water from such pipes to run for 30 to 60 seconds before drinking and hot water from these pipes should not be use for drinking or cooking.
There is need for public awareness of the effects of lead poisoning. This can result from accumulated ingestion of lead over a period of time or a one-time ingestion in large quantity and can kill the victim. Indeed there is need for everyone to be aware!
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