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Lead |  |
Physiological Role
Absorption and Metabolism
Sources of Pb
Poisoning Symptoms
I. A physiological role for Pb has not been identified and it is generally not considered to be essential for animals
- Amount of Pb absorbed depends on exposure route
- Intestinal absorption of Pb is relatively low (< 2% in sheep)
- Retention of inhaled Pb is much higher (37% in humans)
- Homeostatic control appears to be lacking for Pb
- Pb initially concentrates in bone until a possible threshold is reached
- Pb is then deposited in other tissues, especially the kidney
- Mobilization of Pb from bone keeps Pb in blood above normal long after exposure
- Soil and water contamination
- Waste from metal smelters
- Formerly combustion of leaded gasoline and use of lead arsenate pesticides
- Sewage sludge
- Lead based paint
- Used motor oil, discarded batteries, etc.
- Symptoms of Pb poisoning appear when Pb is distributed throughout the body, especially in the kidney, liver, and central nervous system
- Clinical signs
- Central nervous system
- Depression
- Irritability
- Peripheral neurophathy
- Encephalopathy
- Blindness
- Laryngeal paralysis
- Convulsive seizures
- Digestive tract
- Constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain
- Vomiting, increased salivation
- Esophageal paralysis
- Central nervous system
- Pathological effects
- Derangement of porphyrin and heme synthesis
- Mechanical fragility of red blood cell membranes
- Interference in protein and globin synthesis
- Enzyme changes (either inhibited or enhanced activity)
- Altered endocrine function
- Young fail to grow
- Bones and nervous system fail to develop
- Skin becomes dry and thickened
- Kidneys mad various glands degenerate
- Both males and females become sterile
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