Think lead poisoning is all media hype? Think again!

Lead poisoning has been harming mankind for centuries. Scholars believe that ancient Romans suffered from lead poisoning, as lead was used in so many ways that there was ample opportunity for Romans to ingest it. Lead was used in lead water pipes, glaze and paints on tableware and drinking vessels, in makeup, and sugar of lead was used to sweeten wine. Today lead is found all over the world – it can be found in household paint, gasoline, our soil, the air we breathe, and it is belched from chimney stacks around the world. While some of us might feel safe dismissing the dangers of lead poisoning, domestic and international health agencies are very concerned about the global population’s exposure to this toxin.

Lead is a heavy metal and is not biodegradable – once it has been introduced into the environment, it is here to stay as it does not degrade or break down over time.

Lead poisoning – who is most at risk?

Lead poisoning isn’t just an American problem – it’s a problem around the world, most notably in developing nations. While many uses of lead have been outlawed in the United States, many developing countries still allow the use of lead paint and leaded gasoline – both of which are considered major sources of lead poisoning. Those most at risk are unborn and young children, and workers in industries that use or recycle lead. Surprisingly, lead in water pipes or lead in water itself is not considered a significant source of lead poisoning – certainly not as significant as lead in paint or gasoline.

According to a report issued by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), individuals in developing countries are most at risk for several reasons:

• unregulated industrial emissions and car emissions through leaded gasoline


• lax enforcement of environmental and occupational health safety regulations


• ‘cottage’ (domestic) industries (e.g. metal polishing and smelters) certain cultural practices (e.g. use of folk medicines containing lead, use of improperly glazed lead ceramic ware for cooking and food storage, use of lead-contaminated cosmetics such as surma and kohl)

The Australia based Lead Group published the following statistics, showing the percentage of children in various countries who tested positive for elevated levels of lead in their blood. This data is interesting as it shows the variation in contamination levels around the world, with a first-world country like Australia having a much smaller percentage of contaminated children, while a country like South Africa – with a less developed infrastructure and far less regulation – having a very high percentage.

• South Africa – 78%


• Jamaica – 42% in rural areas, 71% in urban areas


• India – 51% in urban areas


• China – 34%


• Australia – 7.3%

Sadly, children in these developing nations are most at risk – according to Alliance to End Childhood Lead Poisoning and the Environmental Defense Fund, 80% of children between the ages of 3 and 5 have elevated levels of lead in their blood, and 100% of children under the age of 2 are affected. Even children in developing nations are not lucky enough to escape lead poisoning – 28% of children between the ages of 3 and 5 have elevated levels of lead, and 78% of children under the age of 2 are affected. One of the reasons that children are so susceptible to lead poisoning is that their digestive system absorbs lead at a much faster rate than adults – 50% compared to 10 to 15%.

To address the world-wide problem of lead poisoning, the World Health Organization has recommended several interventions:

• Environmental standards that remove lead from petrol/gasoline, paint and plumbing.


• If lead pipes cannot be removed, water (cold should be flushed through in the morning before drinking).


• Enforcement of occupational health standards.


• Surveillance of potentially exposed population groups, especially the vulnerable ones (small children, pregnant women, workers).


• Water treatment.


• Removing lead solder from food cans.


• Use of lead-free paint in homes.


• Screening of children for blood levels over acceptable limit and referral for medical care as necessary.

More detailed steps that can be taken worldwide to reduce the amount of lead in the environment – and thus the amount of lead in human beings – can be found in the Childhood Lead Poisoning Information for Advocacy and Action report.

You may be shocked and disheartened to realize what a problem lead poisoning is across the globe. If you wish to read more about steps that you can personally take to protect yourself and your family, please visit the Lead Poisoning section of our firm’s document library and view some of our relevant articles. You will also find helpful “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQs) on our website. Finally, check back regularly to read our firm’s blog, where we frequently discuss the latest news and our thoughts about lead related matters.

If you are like us, you’re very concerned about the toxic effects of lead exposure around the world. It seems like lead is everywhere – in our air, our soil, our water and even on the toys and products we buy. Help us keep legislators, manufacturers, and retailers honest – if you or somebody you know has been affected by lead poisoning, contact us immediately. We will discuss the particulars of your case at absolutely no cost and no obligation. The law office of Richard Serpe, PC has ample experience prosecuting and winning lead poisoning cases – let us put our knowledge to work for you.