Lead Poisoning and Violent Crime

Introduction Lead poisoning is a medical condition in human beings and vertebrates that emanates from high exposure to materials that contain lead. Lead is highly toxic metal that is considered to be very poisonous. Lead is also considered to be carcinogenic hence the need to reduce contact with it. Lead is a very poisonous metal that has serious heath implications if an individual is exposed to it for a long period of time. The serious health implications associated with lead explains why some countries have banned the importation of materials containing lead in their country.

Materials containing Lead There are may material that are laced with lead in the world. Some of them include: House paints manufactured before 1978 in the US and Canada but it still found in paints in developing countries. Art supplies and paint sets. Children toys manufactured before 1976 in the Us and those manufactured outside United states. Jewelry Gasoline products Storage batteries Bullets, Cosmetic products

Individuals prone to Lead Poisoning Lead poisoning takes place gradually hence slowly killing its unaware victims mostly children. It mainly prevalent in children due to their obsessive behaviour of putting gadgets into their mouth. Lead poisoning may also occur through getting into contact with material. People in developing countries are prone to lead poisoning because of lack of legislation to control lead usage. People living around industrialized areas due to emission of these gases by the industries.

Symptoms of Lead Poisoning Lead poisoning does not occurs suddenly but takes place gradually as one continue to get exposed to small quantities of lead. Lead poisoning symptoms include: Headaches Insomnia Aggressive behaviour Anemia Fatigue High blood Pressure Memory loss Prolonged Numbness or tingling Loss of development skills amongst children Increased irritability

Symptoms of Severe Lead Exposure The symptoms of severe lead exposure include Vomiting Seizures Coma Severe abdominal cramps and pain Staggering Muscle weakness

Action to be taken in case of Severe Lead Exposure Incase of such a situation, one should dial the emergency number 911. They should provide the emergency operator with the following details of the victim. Source Age Amount ingested Weight Time of the incident

Diagnosis of Lead Poisoning Diagnosis of lead poisoning is done through screening of blood. The recommended amount of lead in adults blood should not exceed 20 mcg/dl. The recommended amount in infants and young children should not exceed 10 mcg/dl Any amounts higher than that are harmful and doctors advise people to ensure the lead levels are kept as low as possible.

Lead Poisoning Treatment The first step of treatment involves staying away from the sources of lead. In severe cases Chelation Therapy is administered to the patient. It involves binding of lead in the blood stream with excretory products so that it can be eliminated through urine. Activated charcoal is also used to bind lead in the gastrointestinal tract. EDTA may also be applied as a treatment plan. EDTA is a chemical that binds lead.

How to Prevent Lead Poisoning Use of lead-free paints Encouraging young children to regularly wash their hands after playing with different items. Regular screening of blood to determine if the amount of lead in the blood is not toxic. Passing legislation to do away with materials that contain lead. Usage of cold water to prepare food and drinks Regularly filtering our drinking water Regularly cleaning the surfaces of our houses since dust may contain lead

Lead poisoning in Children and Violent Crime Exposure to lead has been found by scientists to cause both mental and physical impairment to children. Lead is associated to increase in violent crime because of the behaviour shown by individuals who had recovered from acute lead poisoning. Individuals recovering from acute lead poisoning proved to be very aggressive and easily irritated. Scientists argue that lead poisoning in children damages the part of the brain that controls their mood and behaviour. The discovery explained why delinquent children blood was found to contain a higher amount of lead than the normal children. Lead poisoning was also associated with psychopathy leading to violent crimes

Case Study Studies carried in the United States to explain why the African-Americans were highly associated with violent crime showed that lead exposure could have driven them to engage in such actions. The research carried out in 1986 explained that the White Americans were less aggressive since their chances if living in neighborhoods painted with leaded paints were minimal compared to the African-Americans. The proximity to roads did not do them any favor due to emission by vehicles.

References Lead Levels—Blood. (2011, May 30). National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health. Retrieved November 16, 2014. From http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003360.htm Lead Poisoning. (2011, February 2.). National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health. Retrieved November 16, 2014. From http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003360.htm Learn About Lead. (n.d.). US Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved November 16, 2014. From http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/learn-about-lead.html#found Monboit, G. (2013, January). Yes, Lead Poisoning could Really be cause of Violent Crime. Retrieved November 16, 2014. From http://www.healthline.com/health/lead-poisoning#Outlook8 Cafasso J. (2012, September). Lead Poisoning. Retrieved November 16, 2014. From http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/jan/07/violent-crime-lead-poisoning-british-export