You came across an article online about a lead outbreak that happened in Nigeria a few years back. There were no pictures in the article, but you imagined how the people struggled through the words written in the piece. Hundreds of people, mostly kids, even died from what happened. Because of all the information you’ve read, you start to wonder how this chemical could cause all of these health problems.
To create a clearer picture in your mind, you might want to consider the information below to prove that, indeed, lead can have adverse effects on your health:
- Your blood pressure can be affected
When there is too much lead in your body, your blood pressure can increase. When left untreated, high blood pressure can progress and can cause damages to other organs in your body such as your brain, heart, and arteries. All of these complications can contribute to a poor quality of life and even a fatal heart attack. You’re also at greater risk for injuries when you have high blood pressure.
- Lead is linked to male infertility
Several studies have confirmed that even low-level lead exposure from household contaminants can cause damage to sperm and contribute to male infertility. This can become a life-long problem for men who are trying to start a family and can become the reason why relationships may crumble over time.
- You can suffer short-term health risks
Aside from the long-term effects of lead poisoning in your health, you can also suffer from the following:
- Abdominal pain
- Being distracted, forgetful and irritable
- Constipation
- Depression
- Feeling nauseous or sick all the time
If you think you have been a victim of lead poisoning because of someone else’s negligence or intentional acts, it’s best to talk to a layer who has experience in dealing with a case similar to yours. An attorney who has in-depth knowledge on lead poisoning cases like this one here, can help you if you’re planning to file a lawsuit.
How Can You Avoid Lead Poisoning?
Obviously, lead poisoning can have adverse effects on your health. For you to stray away from suffering from its effects, you can follow these tips:
- Always clean dusty surfaces at home or work.
- Always wash your hands and toys as lead is commonly found in the latter.
- Don’t allow children to play in the soil.
- Eat a healthy diet as proper nutrition can help lower lead absorption in the body.
- Remove shoes before entering the house as lead can also be found on soil.
In Conclusion
Commonly, lead is used in covering wires and cables to protect them from corrosion. Sure, this chemical might be useful in almost all households, but when it’s misused or in large amounts, your safety and health can be compromised in ways you didn’t expect. This should be reason enough for you to be aware of the things that you use and the activities that you do on a daily basis. You should be wary to ensure that you and your family can be safe from the dangers of lead.
