ArchiveSee matrix →ES
Environmental

Lead

A neurotoxic heavy metal with no safe level; it accumulates in bone and damages the brain (especially in children), kidney, and blood pressure.
Scientific evidence
Very high
Number of findings
2
Sources
Our own summaries · Cited studies

Effect by goal · level of evidence

Gallstones (cholelithiasis) in women

association Low-moderate study (AA)

Prospective study (4,730 women, ~10 years): prolonged fasting periods and weight-loss diets were linked to more hospitalizations for gallstones. Observational: association, causation not proven.

View the study (study) →

Effect by goal · level of evidence

Child neurodevelopment

harms Very highbody

No safe threshold: lowers IQ and alters attention/behavior in children. Prevention is avoiding the source (old paint and pipes, soil).

View the study →

Kidney and blood pressure

harms Highbody

Chronic exposure is associated with kidney damage and hypertension.

View the study →

In depth

Lead

⏱ 3 min read

Lead is a neurotoxin for which no safe level of exposure exists, especially in children and pregnant women. It accumulates in bone (where it persists for decades) and affects the developing brain (loss of IQ, attention and behavior problems), the kidney, heme synthesis (anemia) and blood pressure.

Common sources: old paint, old pipes, contaminated soil and water, some ceramics, cosmetics and traditional remedies, and workplaces (batteries, foundries). Prevention means avoiding the source; blood lead is the biomarker.

References

  1. WHO. Lead poisoning and health (fact sheet).
  2. ATSDR. Toxicological Profile for Lead.

Information, not medical advice. Scientific evidence reflects the quality of the studies.

Loading assistant…