2024-02-09 13:53:00
The World Health Organization has classified lead as one of the main chemicals of public health concern, and has called for necessary measures to protect workers, women, and children from the risk of poisoning. Knowing that its seriousness, which may lead to death, is rarely highlighted. Today, speculation regarding it has returned with the spread of the presence of lead in Stanley cups. Hence, it is necessary to shed light on lead, its sources, and its effect on the human body?
Stanley cups
The trend of “Stanley cups” spread on various social media sites, following some users noticed the presence of lead at the bottom of the cup, which sparked controversy and concerns regarding the materials used in manufacturing these cups.
A spokesman for the “Stanley” company confirmed that it uses lead at the bottom of the cup, to be an insulating part of the cup itself, which is covered with a layer of stainless steel to protect consumers from exposure to lead, and it cannot be accessed unless the stainless steel barrier is separated, which is possible, but ” rare”. Although it poses a danger if the cover at the bottom is separated, the liquid inside it does not touch this part. Therefore, there is little to no chance of exposure to lead from drinking the liquid inside the container. Experts say the danger lies if the circular cover is removed and users touch the exposed lead and then touch their mouths.
Sources of lead?
Lead is consumed in the world for the purposes of manufacturing car batteries, in addition to its use in several other products, including dyes, paints, solder, colored glass, crystal vessels, ammunition, glazed ceramics, jewelry, children’s toys, and some traditional cosmetics such as kohl, sindoor, and sun. It is also found in drinking water transported through corroded pipes, which are also made of lead. This water reaches homes, schools, care centers and various places. Water with a high acidity or low mineral content is particularly corrosive to fixtures and pipes, which in turn causes an increase in the percentage of lead in the water.
If there is suspicion of the presence of lead in water, the following measures must be taken:
– Do not cook or drink from the hot water tap, as it may dissolve the substance. When hot water is needed, cold water can be heated from the tap or refrigerator.
-Use cold water for cooking or drinking.
– Let the water run before using it.
As for food, lead can be detected in food that comes from animals that ingest this substance from plants found in nature. Lead is more common in some foods grown in geographic areas with significant levels of environmental lead contamination. In addition, lead used in pottery may leak into foods, according to a report by the US Food and Drug Administration.
In this regard, Charlotte Abu Elias, a doctor and consultant in endocrinology and diabetes, pointed out in an interview with “An-Nahar” that types of children’s sweets may contain lead due to their “stainless steel” cover. It may also be in cocoa during its processing.”
Abu Elias confirms that “river fish also contain lead, and this varies from one river to another. There are types of river fish rich in lead, including types of tuna and mackerel.”
She added, “We cannot forget the presence of undeclared lead in some imported spices, including paprika, the black and white spice,” noting that we cannot study the quantity without knowing the source of the plant and how it is transformed and manufactured.
But the real danger lies in the lead found in the paint that is used for homes, schools, and buildings, whether indoors or outdoors, as well as on furniture, playgrounds, and toys, in order to speed up the drying process and increase durability. However, it must be noted that as a result of the awareness campaign launched by the United Nations, the number of countries imposing legally binding controls on lead paint has increased.
Is there lead in cosmetics?
Dr. Dana Saadeh, a specialist in dermatology at the Department of Dermatology at the American University of Beirut, explained to An-Nahar that the amount of lead found in cosmetics is very small and does not constitute a danger, and any negative repercussions on the skin resulting from lead require exposure to a large amount of it. .
Saada pointed out, “Our main concern regarding the effect of cosmetics stems from them containing substances that cause skin inflammation or allergies, and this may be an allergy resulting from a toxic substance that affects our skin. The most prominent of these substances is “thiomersal,” which is also sold under the name merthiolate, which is a compound. “Organic mercury must be used with caution in cosmetics or skin products, and is often found in hair dyes and coloring.”
Lead reduces children’s intelligence and kills millions
Some studies indicate that 815 million children, or one in three of all children in the world, have been exposed to poisoning with this metal.
The World Health Organization’s 2021 update estimates the public health impact of chemicals at nearly half a million people who lost their lives in 2019 due to exposure to lead.
After entering the human body, lead is distributed to organs such as the brain, kidneys, liver, and bones. The body stores this substance in the teeth and bones, where it accumulates over time.
Lead stored in bones may pass into the blood during pregnancy, exposing the fetus to this substance during its development.
In this context, Dr. Abu Elias explains the symptoms of poisoning that affect children, in addition to women and men, which may sometimes lead to death. The symptoms were divided as follows:
Children who survive severe lead poisoning suffer permanent mental disability and behavioral disorders, in addition to the child’s brain development being affected, which leads to a lower intelligence quotient (IQ) and the appearance of behavioral changes such as a short attention span, increased anti-social behavior, and a lower level of educational attainment. .
– Renal impairment with a type of insufficiency accompanied by high levels of sugar in the urine.
– Anemia, high blood pressure, and poisoning of the immune system and reproductive organs.
-Severe abdominal pain with diarrhea.
-Bouts of anger and inability to concentrate.
Fertility problems in women may lead to weak ovulation and sometimes miscarriage.
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