Topic: Lead Exposure on the Rise Despite Decline in Poisoning Cases
Source: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/lead-exposure-on-the-rise/
The United States took lead out of gasoline in 1976 as well as banning lead paint in 1978. But most health scientists, regulators, the public have considered the problem largely solved. Test are now showing that even though the average concentration of lead in America bloodstreams has dropped by a factor of 10 since the late 1970's. Recent health studies shown the exposure levels that was thought to be "safe" were too high. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has lowered the concentration deemed acceptable in the bloodstream. Lead poisoning is a health but as well a financial problem too costing the United States up too $209 billion per year. The bill comes from the direct medical cost to the need for special needs classes and so on and so forth. Lead poisoning is still prevalent in our environment for many reasons. Since lead does not degrades, it stays in the environment for a long time. Lead smelting and refining is still a huge industry worldwide, that sends more metal into the environment. And aviation gas that is used in planes still contain lead. Lead is still present in our water in many communities around the world, where it can leach from lead pipes to homes and apartment buildings.
After reading this article made me realize how much lead is around me and it's pretty much everywhere. Just thinking how many countries that worked for factories for supplies that they used lead in their ingredients to make toys, plastics, and etc. Really made me think a lot that how can they worked for this factories and didn't know that it leads them into danger. As, you read the article more it also tells you so many things that your health could be in danger.
Source: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/lead-exposure-on-the-rise/
The United States took lead out of gasoline in 1976 as well as banning lead paint in 1978. But most health scientists, regulators, the public have considered the problem largely solved. Test are now showing that even though the average concentration of lead in America bloodstreams has dropped by a factor of 10 since the late 1970's. Recent health studies shown the exposure levels that was thought to be "safe" were too high. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has lowered the concentration deemed acceptable in the bloodstream. Lead poisoning is a health but as well a financial problem too costing the United States up too $209 billion per year. The bill comes from the direct medical cost to the need for special needs classes and so on and so forth. Lead poisoning is still prevalent in our environment for many reasons. Since lead does not degrades, it stays in the environment for a long time. Lead smelting and refining is still a huge industry worldwide, that sends more metal into the environment. And aviation gas that is used in planes still contain lead. Lead is still present in our water in many communities around the world, where it can leach from lead pipes to homes and apartment buildings.
After reading this article made me realize how much lead is around me and it's pretty much everywhere. Just thinking how many countries that worked for factories for supplies that they used lead in their ingredients to make toys, plastics, and etc. Really made me think a lot that how can they worked for this factories and didn't know that it leads them into danger. As, you read the article more it also tells you so many things that your health could be in danger.