Exposures

Lead

What it is: Lead is a highly toxic metal that is found almost everywhere in the environment. It comes from burning fossil fuels, mining and industrial manufacturing.

Where it is: Lead is found in our homes. It can be found in plumbing, paint, our back yard soil, in some cosmetics and in caulking. There are some current uses of lead such as in the prevention of X-ray radiation at the dentist's or doctor's. This does not mean lead is friendly. It isn't, and must be avoided.

How we're exposed: Lead can get into our bodies in many ways. We can eat it in the form of paint chips, dirt, and dust particles. We can drink it when we drink tap water from lead contaminated plumbing. We can breathe lead particles in the dust around our homes and especially old buildings. Part of the reason lead is so dangerous is that it is so insidious. There are so many potential sources in our homes where we feel safe. Children are at particular risk because of their proximity to dirt and dust, and their habit of putting everything into their little mouths. Poor, inner-city families are at particular risk because they are more likely to have to live in old buildings.

The damage it causes: Lead harms almost everything in our bodies - from the central nervous system, the brain, the kidneys, the blood and even the reproductive system. Anyone can have acute lead poisoning by ingesting a large amount at one time. More likely in humans, is a long term slow exposure from ingesting smaller amounts over a number of years.

In adults: Exposed adults may have higher blood pressure, digestive problems, sleep problems, mood changes, muscle and joint pain, and nerve and kidney damage.

In children: Exposed children may have brain damage, learning disabilities, developmental and behavioral problems. It may cause headaches and kidney damage as well as the blood problem, anemia.

In babies born and unborn: Lead passes from mother to child. Exposures in the unborn can cause birth defects, early delivery, decreased mental ability, and smaller birth weight.

Mercury

What it is: Like lead, mercury is a naturally occurring metal. It is characterized by its "quicksilver" properties. At room temperature, it is a shiny, silvery liquid that beads up and rolls around. Mercury is very dense and can be absorbed into the skin and lungs. It is thrown into the environment naturally by volcanic eruptions and is placed there by man by industrial coal burning.

Where it is: Mercury is found in the ground, and in oceans, lakes, rivers and streams. It is found in high levels in the fish we eat, mostly tuna, shellfish and others like shark, tilefish and king mackerel. There are some uses for mercury such as dental fillings, fluorescent lights, batteries, and thermometers. Some cosmetic creams contain other forms of mercury called methylmercury.

How we're exposed: Our most likely way to ingest mercury is by eating fish. But we may also be exposed to it through dental and medical procedures, some vaccines, through broken thermometers, by breathing its vapors (which is the most dangerous exposure) or at work if we work in an industry that deals with mercury. Most industries that produce mercury have the capability to reduce mercury output.

The damage it causes: Mercury can cause a whole host of problems in the human body. It causes mental retardation, developmental disabilities, brain damage, and organ damage. It is suspected to cause cancer, but has not yet been proven to do so.

In adults: Inhaling vapors with a high concentration of mercury can cause the most damage. The mercury is readily absorbed in the lungs and goes straight to the brain. This can cause irritability, tremors, and shyness. Acute doses result in heightened blood pressure and heart rate, lung damage, nausea, vomiting, skin rash and eye irritation. People who work in the medical and dental professions as well as chemical industries are at higher risk. People who consume a large amount of seafood are also at risk of mercury exposure.

In children: Children are affected by mercury in the form of nervous and digestive system problems, kidney damage, mental and developmental disabilities. Children are at risk by playing with broken thermometers, eating too much contaminated fish and accidental exposure.

In babies born and unborn: Mercury can pass from mother to child through the placenta and breast milk. In newborns, it causes mental retardation, brain damage, lack of coordination, blindness, seizures, and the inability to speak. It has been recommended that women who are pregnant or who may become so eat no more than 2 cans of tuna per week, and limit their intake of other dangerous fish.