Lead Exposure on the Rise Despite Decline in Poisoning Cases
Mark Fischetti
Scientific American
February 17, 2013
Full article: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=lead-exposure-on-the-rise
Topic: Lead Exposure
Summary:
Even though the amount of poisoning cases regarding lead has decreased, the amount of lead exposure continues to increase. Lead has been an issue since the 1976, when they removed lead from gasoline, and in 1978, when they banned lead from paints. Many thought that they solved lead poisoning, but instead, research shows that “the average concentration of lead in the American bloodstream has dropped by a factor of 10 since the late 1970s; the levels are still two orders of magnitude higher than natural human levels.” This toxin can be found anywhere around us; it is even found in parts of plants and some water sources. Exposure to lead can increase blood pressure, which will cause to patient to spend more money on their illness.
Reflection:
I think this article is important because it shows how lead exposure continues to persist despite our efforts in the past. It helped inform the readers more about lead and its effects. It is surprising how even though lead is banned and removed from some general products, people are still affected by it. Now that we know about the damages lead can cause and its origins, we should find ways to prevent it. By preventing China from producing paint with lead in them, the amount of lead exposures can decrease. Thus, people will have fewer risk of having high blood pressure.
Mark Fischetti
Scientific American
February 17, 2013
Full article: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=lead-exposure-on-the-rise
Topic: Lead Exposure
Summary:
Even though the amount of poisoning cases regarding lead has decreased, the amount of lead exposure continues to increase. Lead has been an issue since the 1976, when they removed lead from gasoline, and in 1978, when they banned lead from paints. Many thought that they solved lead poisoning, but instead, research shows that “the average concentration of lead in the American bloodstream has dropped by a factor of 10 since the late 1970s; the levels are still two orders of magnitude higher than natural human levels.” This toxin can be found anywhere around us; it is even found in parts of plants and some water sources. Exposure to lead can increase blood pressure, which will cause to patient to spend more money on their illness.
Reflection:
I think this article is important because it shows how lead exposure continues to persist despite our efforts in the past. It helped inform the readers more about lead and its effects. It is surprising how even though lead is banned and removed from some general products, people are still affected by it. Now that we know about the damages lead can cause and its origins, we should find ways to prevent it. By preventing China from producing paint with lead in them, the amount of lead exposures can decrease. Thus, people will have fewer risk of having high blood pressure.