High doses of lead can damage the nervous system, kidneys, and blood system and can even be lethal. Continuous low-level exposure causes lead to accumulate in the body and cause damage. It is particularly dangerous for babies, before and after birth, and for small children because their bodies and brains are growing rapidly.
Many federal agencies study and monitor lead exposure. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) monitors lead in food, beverages, food containers, and tableware. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors lead levels in drinking water.
Blood lead levels in Americans have been dropping steadily because of measures that have been taken in the U.S., including:
- Elimination of leaded gasoline in the 1970's
- Banning of lead in house paints, 1978
- Banning of lead plumbing pipes and solder, 1988
- Elimination of lead solder from cans
- Elimination of lead foil on bottled wine, 1992
|
