TOXIC EFFECT OF LEAD EXPOSURE TO NEWBORN AND CHILDREN

Middle Black Sea PassageGeneration of Agricultural Research Institute Director, Tokat, TurkeyInstitute of Forensic Sciences, AnkaraUniversity, Ankara, Türkiye Recently,studies about effects of metals and heavy metal compounds -which arepollutants- on all biological systems have become more important. Lead is ahidden and permanent toxic metal. Because of its free machining characteristic,lead has an extensive usage area. The major part of its usage area isbatteries. Besides paints, ammunitions, radioprotective shields, jewellery,fish poles and cable coating are other usage areas. Increasing population,rapid industrialization and urbanization has increased lead exposure andremarked its toxic effects on environment and human health. The most sensitivegroups about lead exposure are infants, pregnants and workers who work for jobsthat have extreme lead contact. While 40 mg/dl of Pb level in blood for adultsrequires treatment; this level is lower for children and pregnants. Howevertoxic effects of lead depend on individual’s age, dosage of exposure andfrequency; personal genetic differences are also important. In societies due tolead’s cognitive and behavioral effects, mostly children’s exposure isoverstressed. 75% of lead is accumulated in bones, the rest of it isdangerously spread to soft tissues. Half life of lead in bones is approximately20-30 years. It has been proved that lead accumulated in body causes severalneurological insults, lower academic success, behavioral disorders, hearingdisorders and mental deficiency. And also Lead exposure has caused birth weight,reduction of the gestation period, the short stature in children furthermoredelayed sexual maturation in girls.In thiscompilation exposure of lead which is an important toxic substance in pollutionand effects on infants and children health will be mentioned.