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CH3041
LEAD TOXICITY I
• Hippocrates
mentioned lead poisoning in
300 BC. The Greeks didn’t pass the information on to the Romans.
300 BC. The Greeks didn’t pass the information on to the Romans.
• Pb2+ has a sweet taste and was added by
the Romans to acidic wine. Their bones
have 100 x the contemporary levels of Pb.
the Romans to acidic wine. Their bones
have 100 x the contemporary levels of Pb.
• Lead is a cumulative poison. 90% is
retained in the bones from where it can
be remobilised, the t½ is 20 y in adults.
retained in the bones from where it can
be remobilised, the t½ is 20 y in adults.
• ADI (mg) : food 100, water 50
air 15
• Pb binds strongly to AAs, Hb, RNA, DNA...
•Toxic effects : impaired blood synthesis,
brain damage, hypertension, teratogenic.
brain damage, hypertension, teratogenic.
