Bleivergiftung: Akute und chronische gesundheitliche Auswirkungen

Acute Exposure (High Dose, Short Duration)

• Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation/diarrhea
• Headache, dizziness, fatigue, irritability, confusion
• Encephalopathy (seizures, coma) at very high levels

Chronic Exposure (Low Dose, Long Duration)

• Neurological: IQ loss, learning disabilities, behavioral problems (especially children)
• Renal: Nephropathy, hypertension, gout
• Hematologic: Anemia (inhibits heme synthesis)
• Reproductive: Infertility, miscarriage, preterm birth
• Cardiovascular: Hypertension, increased CVD risk
• Skeletal: Lead stored in bone; released during pregnancy/menopause
• Cancer: IARC Group 2A (probable carcinogen)

Children Are Uniquely Vulnerable

Developing brains absorb 4–5x more lead; hand-to-mouth behavior; critical windows of neurodevelopment. No safe blood lead level identified (CDC reference value: 3.5 µg/dL).

Prevention: lead-safe housing, water testing, occupational hygiene, nutrition (iron, calcium reduce absorption).