|
Lead is present in a lot of areas both in and around homes and businesses.
Much if it is invisible to the naked eye. It is in water, dust and the air. If
children are exposed to lead, the home is the most likely culprit.
With the restrictions on lead-based paint, one of the biggest sources of lead
has been greatly reduced. However, lead is still present in houses, garages,
barns, on fences and furniture. In addition, lead paint chips remain the most
common source of acute lead poisoning. Candy wrappers and food packaging are of
particular concern because they are in direct contact with immediately consumed
items, so keep these items from being consumed, chewed or licked.
Other common sources:
- Lead-based paint is present on many surfaces in homes not recently
rebuilt or remodeled.
- Enameled or ceramic pots and dishware. Improper glazing can leech lead
into foods.
- Paper wrappings – holiday paper and party decorations.
- Candy packaging – candy bar wrappers, colored sports trading cards
packaged with gum.
- Lead is a major constituent of the lead-acid battery used extensively in
car batteries.
- Lead is used as projectiles for firearms and fishing sinkers.
- Lead is used in some candles to treat the wick to ensure a longer, more
even burn.
- Lead is used as shielding from radiation.
- Molten lead is used as a coolant, for example, for lead cooled fast
reactors.
- Lead glass is composed of 12-28 percent lead. It changes the optical
characteristics of the glass and reduces the transmission of radiation.
- Lead is the traditional base metal of organ pipes, mixed with varying
amounts of tin to control the tone of the pipe.
- Lead is used as electrodes in the process of electrolysis.
- Lead is used in solder for electronics.
- Lead is used in high voltage power cables as sheathing material to
prevent water diffusion into insulation.
- Lead is used for the ballast keel of sailboats.
- Lead is added to brass to reduce machine tool wear.
- Lead sheets are used as roofing material.
|
