Blood lead levels or lead poisoning: lead in blood part I

Blood lead levels or lead poisoning: lead in blood part I

Lead can be inhaled and absorbed through the respiratory system or ingested and absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, causing intoxication or poisoning is known as blood lead or Plumbosis.

In its advanced stages, when the poisoning is known as chronic poisoning, which is the most frequent form of presentation in children and adults. If poisoning occurs through ingestion of water, it is called "Saturn hydrid.

Lead is a neurotoxic heavy metal and hard to rid the human body, so to be present in the blood, damaging the central nervous system and affects vital organs like heart, liver, kidneys and bones.

Lead is one of the most toxic environmental and industrial widespread, there are records of its use dating back thousands of years, making it one of the oldest occupational diseases. At present blood lead levels or lead poisoning has become a serious public health problem. Blood lead levels or lead poisoning: lead in blood (I)

The origin of the strange term saturnism there are several theories, some say that is because in ancient alchemists called "Saturn" to lead, others say it was named after the Greek god Saturn, because it is represented as a Saturn is insane and an advanced stage disease that produces hallucinations and aggressiveness.

There is also a theory that attributes the name to the "color of Saturn," because in some cases the excessive accumulation of lead in the blood produces a noticeable effect on the skin color of those affected.

It is believed that some older celebrities such as Beethoven, Goya, Vincent Van Gogh and some Roman emperors such as Nero or Caligula, suffered lead poisoning.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines intoxication as a blood lead values above 15 g / dl., While the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the United States where medical intervention levels are higher than 10 mg / dL in children and 25 mg / dL in adults.