Lead exposure on the Rise Despite Cases
Mark Fischeti
February 17,2013
source: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/lead-exposure-on-the-rise/
The article is about the Exposure to lead in the U.S specifically Boston. It states the lead out of gasoline in 1976 as an example and the fact that health scientists consider the problem largely solved . But in fact the problem is still there when it was tested. And the difference of lead than other toxic chemicals relatively is that it doesn't need a high amount to be toxic to human beings. The amounts that previously were thought to be safe were too high. scientists from various disciplines are advising the environmental protection agency and health departments to lower the concentration deemed acceptable in blood stream, which today averages 1.3 micrograms per deciliter but can be much higher for many individuals. The article also states higher levels are not necessary to instigate damage to body or brain. Excessive lead exposure correlates with a host of ills including impaired cognition, attention deficit disorder and lower academic test scores, psychiatric disorders and increased blood pressure and many other dis functions in our body. lead is still present in drinking water in many communities, another 25-30,000 tons enters through hunting and shooting -range ammunition, e-waste and so on.
The interesting thing about the article is that something that scientists and the people thought was done and wasn't able to cause any more damage to humans isn't actually over rather it's more toxic and is able to hurt the human beings with just a little amount of it in the atmosphere. The fact that a poisonous thing like lead isn't only around us but is also used in the water we drink and other things we interact with is disappointing. So before the number of people dying and getting sick because of lead increases or doubles we should the necessary measures either to decrease the amount or not to increase such as by recycling e-wastes the proper way than dumping them, educating the people how to use the resources we have the proper way and not abusing them.
The interesting thing about the article is that something that scientists and the people thought was done and wasn't able to cause any more damage to humans isn't actually over rather it's more toxic and is able to hurt the human beings with just a little amount of it in the atmosphere. The fact that a poisonous thing like lead isn't only around us but is also used in the water we drink and other things we interact with is disappointing. So before the number of people dying and getting sick because of lead increases or doubles we should the necessary measures either to decrease the amount or not to increase such as by recycling e-wastes the proper way than dumping them, educating the people how to use the resources we have the proper way and not abusing them.