We lead our lives today with brazen exposure to harmful substances, and then in a few years, we face horrendous health complications. You don’t have to go through that ignorant life cycle. Be aware of the harmful substances around your home and how to lessen their harm as much as possible. For example, have you ever heard about the effects of lead or, better still, lead poisoning? It occurs after a build-up of lead in your body, causing serious health complications, affecting physical and mental development. First, let’s examine the common places they are found and then their effects of equipping you with proper awareness.
Lead found in paint
If you look around your home, you will find paint everywhere, from your walls to your furniture, to your utensils, and so on. Since lead is used to make paint, metal is inevitably present in our lives. If that is the case, what can you do then? The lead in the paint of your walls and furniture is harmless unless imbibed.
Lead found in imported canned goods and water pipes
Brass plumbing fixtures, lead pipes, and copper pipes that have been soldered with lead metal are very harmful. As water passes through the water pipes, the constant friction causes some lead particles to fall off and get mixed up in tap water. Lead found in food cans also can mix up with food.
There are dozens of other sources of lead exposure, namely; toys, pottery, household dust, occupations, Mexican candy, lead bullets, cosmetics, and the soil. The knowledge of the present lead in your surrounding will help you in your decisions to reduce the health effects of lead described below;
Lead exposure has serious health consequences for both adults and children, with their symptoms being subtle and undetectable. The effects of lead are more grave with children below the age of six and developing fetuses in mothers’ wombs. Young children exposed to too much lead will have problems with learning, behavioral development, and health. Pregnant mothers might most likely face stillbirths, miscarriages, premature births, and problems with infant nervous and brain development. Other effects of lead you may want to watch out for include;
- High blood pressure
- Stomach upsets and cramps
- Lack of concentration
- Joint and muscle pains
With the information above, protect your home and family from the unforgiving effects of lead. Avoid lead exposure as much as possible in your home. Watch out for the products you use, especially cosmetics and toys, and live a lead-free, healthy life!