Potential Causes of Lead and Mercury Poisoning in the Home

Lead and mercury are two extremely toxic substances, dangerous to the environment and human health. People can be exposed to lead and mercury through air pollution, drinking water, food and household items.

Water spinach grown in rivers is at risk of lead poisoning.

Causes of lead poisoning

Lead can enter the human body through the respiratory tract and mouth. Breathing air contaminated with lead will introduce this metal into the body, mainly in the lungs and blood.

Eating foods contaminated with lead or having lead stuck on your hands will cause the body to accumulate toxins. Some drugs of unknown origin contain lead, such as orange medicine, and users directly ingest the poison. When hungry, 60% of lead is transferred into the blood, while when full, it is only 6%.

In addition, lead can enter through open wounds. The toxin can easily spread to organs in the body, accumulating in teeth and bones for a long time, even up to decades.

Causes of mercury poisoning

Mercury enters the human body through the respiratory tract and through the skin from polluted environments. Eating seafood, especially sea fish, which accumulates large amounts of methylmercury Hg salt, or using drugs, dental fillings, skin powders, and preparations containing Hg salt.

Mercury in broken thermometers is very dangerous to human health, especially children.

Symptoms of poisoning

Lead and lead vapors cause eye, throat and nose irritation upon contact. Lead also causes symptoms such as headaches, irritability, memory loss, insomnia... Symptoms of lead poisoning include: loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, abdominal pain, difficulty moving, cramps, increased risk of high blood pressure, which in the long term will cause kidney disease, brain damage and anemia.

Mercury causes a burning sensation on the skin and eyes when exposed. Inhaling mercury vapor can cause coughing, chest pain, a burning sensation in the lungs, and difficulty breathing. Frequent exposure to mercury can lead to poisoning. Symptoms include tremors, memory loss, loss of concentration, blurred vision, and kidney problems. Lead and mercury can have adverse effects on fertility in both men and women, as well as on unborn babies.

The "enemy" is in the house

It is not only people who work with lead and mercury who are at risk. Anyone can be exposed to lead and mercury from water, soil, surrounding air, engine exhaust and factories. The risk can also be hidden in the home without us realizing it, from dust on walls, doors and household items painted with lead and mercury paint; from soil and dust around the house; lead-contaminated water from the plumbing system; from crystal, colored glass, ceramics, batteries, cameras, toys, radios, computers, thermometers, and cosmetic mercury lamps.

Be careful with children's toys that have bright colors.

Many paint products - especially paints for wood, concrete, metal, and window frames - contain very high levels of lead and mercury, so you can be poisoned if you live in a house painted with paint that uses lead and mercury. The most vulnerable group in the family is children who inhale paint dust; put their hands or pick up anything contaminated with the above-mentioned paint dust and put it in their mouths. In children, lead and mercury poisoning is more serious because their nervous system is more sensitive (affecting the brain, nervous system, learning ability and development of young children).

Prevent poisoning

To avoid such unfortunate consequences, when buying household items, crystal, ceramics, or children's toys, you should look for products with clear origins, ensuring that no lead or mercury is used in the production process. Follow a suitable diet with plenty of iron, calcium, and vitamin C to help the body resist lead. Choose and use paints for both interior and exterior that do not use lead and mercury.

Do not let children chew on window sills or painted objects. Wash your hands often. When turning on the faucet, let the water run for about 60 seconds before collecting it in a bottle and storing it in the refrigerator for drinking. About once a month, remove and clean the faucet filter to remove any sediment. Use only cold water for drinking or cooking, as hot water has higher lead levels. Boil cold water for tea, coffee, or cooking. Do not use hot tap water for drinking or cooking.

According to khoahoc.tv