The study proved that boys are at a greater risk than girls, pointing to a specific variation in a genetic dopamine receptor (DRD4-7). The risk of developing ADHD can increase among children who are exposed to lead. The connection between lead poisoning and attention problems has long been known, and it was this connection that spurred doctors to research a potential link between ADHD and lead poisoning.
Doctors split the children studied into two groups - a high- and low-risk category of DRD4 variation. Children with the high-risk variety that were exposed t lead paint did not see an increase, however, the introduction of lead to the low-risk group caused a significant increase.
A Series of Disorders
ADHD children are not the only victims of lead poisoning - lead exposure can lead to disorders in almost every part of the body. The nervous system is a common casualty of lead exposure, with reduced strength and inability for different body parts to effectively communicate with one another. Lead exposure not only increases the risk of miscarriage among women, but the sperm production is also at risk. Though there is no conclusive proof that lead is carcinogenic (cancer-causing) to humans, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that lead is a potential human carcinogen.
Protecting Children from Lead Poisoning
Children are by far the most vulnerable to lead poisoning. Children ingest lead in a number of ways - through chewing on paint chips in old houses, eating soil or dust that has been contaminated with lead, or biting ceramics or other objects that have been coated in lead-based paint. Young children are at significant risk through their ingestion habits, but fetuses and babies are at risk, too: premature birth and even miscarriage are well-known side effects of lead exposure.
It is imperative that parents and caregivers not only watch but teach their children the dangers of consuming odd and strange objects that may contain lead. They should keep close watch on children who chew or lick painted surfaces and keep cosmetics and other lead-based pigments away from children. Frequent hand and face washing can keep lead dust from getting in the mouths and mucus membranes of children. In addition, your child should be tested for lead at one or two years of age.
Legal Options for Lead Poisoning
If you or your child have been injured by lead poisoning, contact a medical professional immediately. Lead-based medical disorders may not be covered and an individual may be liable for damages due with these medical conditions. If you or someone you know has been affected by lead poisoning, it is advisable to receive consultation from an attorney specializing in lead poisoning. You may be eligible for compensation or damages to help pay for medical bills and pain and suffering.
In very simple terms, the common element lead is a poison. Despite the enormous health risks associated with exposure, the presence of lead in the environment has become ubiquitous. From the Bronze Age to the present day, lead continues to be used in many products that we take for granted. It can also be found in some products that we would least suspect.
Knowledge about lead is needed to understand how it has permeated the environment. Lead is an element that is derived from metal ores, and is found most commonly with copper, silver and zinc. In order to extract the metallic lead from various ores, an extensive process of smelting is required. Smelting heats the ore to a high temperature in a coke furnace and the metallic lead is extracted.
The resulting lead metal is malleable and easily worked. The ancient Romans used lead to manufacture the piping system used to carry water. In the late eighteen hundreds and early nineteen hundreds, the Industrial Revolution spurred the use of lead in products too numerous to mention. It was not until the mid twentieth century that concerns over lead poisoning began to effect pubic policy. However, the damage was done.
Lead could be found in gasoline, batteries, paint, and solder. Despite having one of the safest potable water distribution systems in the world, lead was widely used in piping and solder. Though the water flowing to our homes may have safe, the plumbing system may have contained high levels of lead.
The electronics industry used lead in virtually every printed circuit board assembly. Lead solder was used to make electrical connections and was a standard ingredient in the production of printed circuit boards. Even today, the assembly of electronics requires the use of soldering materials though the use of lead is being phased out.
Our vehicles still use lead acid batteries that are sometimes not disposed of in an environmentally friendly way. Lead was a primary ingredient in vehicle fuels though its use has been curtailed. Paint containing lead can still be found many American homes and abatement programs are still ongoing.
Lead is among several heavy metals like chromium and cadmium that remain in the environment showing up in fish and birds in the wild. It seems that now our precious pets are at risk.
Most domesticated dogs and cats are highly social and like to play. Like doting parents, pet owners spend millions of dollars on toys. Most of the toys we buy for our canine friends give them a chance to do what they love to do and that is chew. Many plastic and rubber based pet toys contain chemicals that have been found to contain levels of lead.
Like a young child who may inadvertently ingest old lead based paint chips, our animals friends are being exposed to lead and other heavy metals. Lead affects animals and humans in much the same way. Major organs like the kidneys, liver and brain are particularly susceptible to damage from lead poisoning.
More and more retailers are importing goods from China and this practice seems to be big contributor to the lead problem. One solution advanced by some retailers has been to test the products they import. While this may be useful, it is far from a fully integrated, industry standard testing program.
Meanwhile, our furry companions continue to be at risk. Since an industry wide solution seems to be ways off, pet lovers have a big responsibility. Ask your local retailer to stock only lead free toys and read the product label before you buy. Your animal friends are counting on you.
Both Alan Haburchak & Mitch Endick are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Alan Haburchak has sinced written about articles on various topics from Brain Injury, Business Tax and Brain Injury. LegalView, the best resource for everything legal on the Web, can be found by visiting . Users can find more information on the latest prescriptio. Alan Haburchak's top article generates over 74000 views. to your Favourites.
Mitch Endick has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home, Puppies Dogs and Education. Mitch Endick is a short article writer, editor and website developer for the popular pet site petpages.com.