Ingestion is the main route of exposure for the general population, particularly children (ATSDR 2005). In volunteers who applied lead acetate from cosmetic preparations, less than 0.3% of the applied lead dose was absorbed (ATSDR 2005).īecause of their relatively larger surface area:body weight ratio, children are more vulnerable to toxicants affecting the skin. Dermal absorption of inorganic lead is much less than absorption by inhalation or orally. Some lead aerosols may cause skin and eye irritation. In addition, they may be exposed to higher levels than adults in the same location because of their short stature and the higher levels of dust found nearer to the ground. Absorption of deposited lead is influenced by particle size and solubility, and the pattern of regional deposition within the respiratory tract (ATSDR 2005).Ĭhildren exposed to the same levels of lead dusts as adults may receive a larger dose because they have greater lung surface area:body weight ratios and higher minute volumes:body weight ratios. Direct inhalation of lead accounts for only a small part of total exposure for the general population. Inhalation is the most common route of exposure among workers in lead industries.

It is non combustible, but may decompose upon heating to highly toxic fumes of lead (HSDB 2007).

Metallic lead is soft and malleable, easily melted, cast, rolled, and extruded (HSDB 2007). Lead is a bluish-gray metal with no characteristic taste or smell. This Medical Management Guideline focuses mostly on inorganic lead. Lead exists in three oxidation states: Pb(0), the metal Pb(II) and Pb(IV). High exposure in children can leave residual cognitive deficits. Exposure to high amounts can cause dullness, irritability, poor attention span, epigastric pain, constipation, vomiting, convulsions, coma, and death.Odor does not provide any warning of hazardous concentrations. The water solubility of lead salts varies depending on the salt. It is nonflammable and insoluble in water.

Elemental lead is a bluish-gray metal without characteristic taste or smell.Persons whose clothing or skin is contaminated with lead solutions are unlikely to secondarily contaminate others by direct contact. Persons exposed to lead do not pose secondary contamination risks.

Lead poisoning antidote