Lead Poisoning Research Paper

The first society to use lead widely was the Roman Empire, and many historians believe that this use of lead actually contributed to the downfall of their civilization (Lah). Lead was used in their wine, cooking pots, coins, cosmetics, and in the pipes used for their plumbing system ("The Evolution of an Element."). The word “plumbing” comes from the Latin word “plumbum,” which translates to lead or “liquid silver” (Lah). This Latin word is also how the symbol for lead was formed, which is Pb. Over the years, lead has been used in many different materials such as paint and gasoline. It wasn’t until 1978 that lead-based paint was banned in the United States for use in houses (Lah). Most of the world realizes now that lead is a very dangerous and toxic chemical that humans need to be protected from. Lead is still used today in some situations, such as in batteries, but it is used carefully ("The Evolution of an Element."). Unfortunately, some people in this world want to
Doctors usually “use a simple blood test to detect lead poisoning” ("Lead Poisoning,” Mayo Clinic). A small amount of blood is taken from a vein or a prick of one finger. The lead levels in the blood are tested and measured in micrograms per deciliter. Low level in adults are not concerning, but they can cause concern in small children ("Lead Poisoning,” Healthline). “Normal” amounts of lead are different depending on the age of a person. In an adult, a normal level is less than 20 mcg/dL. If an adult has a slightly higher level and symptoms of lead poisoning, they will most likely be treated. If someone has a level higher than 60 mcg/dL, they are treated no matter what. In children, a normal level is below 10 mcg/dL, and any level higher than this is monitored closely. If a child’s level goes above 45 mcg/dL, they are treated