Lead

Acute lead intoxication is usually due to ingestion. It is rare, but potentially life threatening. Chronic environmental lead exposure remains a major public health issue in some regions and occupations. Evaluation of patients with possible lead exposure requires a detailed risk assessment.

References

• Canfield RL, Henderson CR, Cory-Slechta DA, Cox C, Jusko TA, Lanphear BP. Intellectual impairment in children with blood lead concentrations below 10 microg per deciliter. New England Journal of Medicine 2003; 348 (16):1517-1526.
• Dietrick Kn, Ware JH, Salganik M et al.  Effect of chelation therapy in neuropsychological and behavioural development of lead-exposed children after school entry.  Pediatrics 2004; 114:19-26.
• Keogh JP, Boyer LV. Lead. Chapter 73 in Clinical Environmental Health and Toxic Exposures (text) Second Edition. Sullivan JB and Krieger GR (Eds). Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia, 2001: 879-889
• Toxicological profile for Lead, ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry). On-line PDF