LEAD

Lead predominantly gets into the environment as a result of industrial emissions from mining, smelting, recycling or waste incineration. Exposure to inorganic lead occurs primarily through food and drinking water, although exposure via soil, dust, air and paint chips significantly contribute to the overall exposure.

Eating food or drink or breathing in air contaminated with lead or lead compounds for a short time usually does not cause any ill effects. In rare cases it may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or kidney damage. Exposure over a long period may cause people to become anemic, lethargic and irritable or cause headaches, muscle tremors, kidney or liver damage, nausea, vomiting or high blood pressure. The International Agency for the Research on Cancer classified lead and its compounds as probably carcinogenic to humans, as lung, bladder and kidney cancer was seen in workers occupationally exposed to lead.