Symptoms of lead poisoning
Acute poisoning
Children and adults
- A metallic taste in the mouth;
- Abdominal pain;
- Vomiting and diarrhea;
- Seizures, coma and sometimes death.
Chronic poisoning
Kids
The following damage, if any, usually manifests itself at school age:
- Fatigue and irritability;
- Low attention span;
- Learning difficulties;
- Aggressive behavior.
At a higher degree of exposure, the following symptoms may also appear:
- Pallor caused by anemia;
- Headaches;
- Hearing problems;
- Language and speech disorders;
- Motor coordination problems;
- Abdominal pain;
- Loss of appetite and weight.
According to one study, for every 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood (10 µg / dl), there is a loss of about 4 intelligence quotient (IQ)9. It is not yet known whether this effect is sustained over the medium to long term. |
Adults
Chronic lead exposure does not cause easily detectable symptoms. But it could increase the following risks:
- Fertility problems (men and women);
- For pregnant women: miscarriage, premature birth or stillbirth;
- Possibly chronic health problems4;