Uploaded July 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Lead is a toxic metal and the dangers of exposure have been known for years. Despite this knowledge, some people are still being exposed to unsafe levels of lead in their homes, schools and in the workplace.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that it does not matter if a person breathes-in, swallows or absorbs lead particles, the health effects are the same; however, the body absorbs higher levels of lead when it is breathed-in. Lead also typically affects children more than it does adults.
Health Effects from Short-Term Overexposure to Lead
Lead poisoning can happen if a person is exposed to very high levels of lead over a short period of time reports NIOSH. When this happens, a person may feel:
• Abdominal pain
• Constipated
• Tired
• Headachy
• Irritable
• Loss of appetite
• Memory loss
• Pain or tingling in the hands and/or feet
• Weak
The agency goes on to share that because these symptoms may occur slowly or may be caused by other things, lead poisoning can be easily overlooked. Exposure to high levels of lead may also cause anemia, and kidney and brain damage. Very high lead exposure can cause death.
Health Effects from Prolonged Exposure to Lead
NIOSH states that a person who is exposed to lead over time may feel:
• Abdominal pain
• Constipated
• Depressed
• Distracted
• Forgetful
• Irritable
• Nauseous/Sick
People with prolonged exposure to lead may also be at risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, and reduced fertility according to the agency. Lead is also considered to be a likely human carcinogen.
These are just a few of the many things to know about health problems from lead exposure shared by NIOSH. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
CTSI ctsiweb.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
Lead is a toxic metal and the dangers of exposure have been known for years. Despite this knowledge, some people are still being exposed to unsafe levels of lead in their homes, schools and in the workplace.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that it does not matter if a person breathes-in, swallows or absorbs lead particles, the health effects are the same; however, the body absorbs higher levels of lead when it is breathed-in. Lead also typically affects children more than it does adults.
Health Effects from Short-Term Overexposure to Lead
Lead poisoning can happen if a person is exposed to very high levels of lead over a short period of time reports NIOSH. When this happens, a person may feel:
• Abdominal pain
• Constipated
• Tired
• Headachy
• Irritable
• Loss of appetite
• Memory loss
• Pain or tingling in the hands and/or feet
• Weak
The agency goes on to share that because these symptoms may occur slowly or may be caused by other things, lead poisoning can be easily overlooked. Exposure to high levels of lead may also cause anemia, and kidney and brain damage. Very high lead exposure can cause death.
Health Effects from Prolonged Exposure to Lead
NIOSH states that a person who is exposed to lead over time may feel:
• Abdominal pain
• Constipated
• Depressed
• Distracted
• Forgetful
• Irritable
• Nauseous/Sick
People with prolonged exposure to lead may also be at risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, and reduced fertility according to the agency. Lead is also considered to be a likely human carcinogen.
These are just a few of the many things to know about health problems from lead exposure shared by NIOSH. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
CTSI ctsiweb.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
