Lead

Lead Latest News

A study by Toxics Link, a Delhi-based research and advocacy group, has found high levels of lead contamination in soil near battery recycling units across Delhi-NCR.  

About Lead

• It is a naturally occurring element found in small amounts in the earth’s crust.
• Properties
  • It is a soft, silvery white or grayish metal in Group 14 (IVa) of the periodic table.
  • Lead has a bright lustre and is a dense, ductile, very soft, highly malleable, bluish-white metal that has poor electrical conductivity.
  • It is also highly resistant to corrosion and because of this property is used to contain corrosive liquids (e.g. sulphuric acid).
• Occurrence: It is usually found in ore with zinc, silver and copper and is extracted together with these metals.
• The main lead mineral is galena (PbS). Other common varieties include cerussite (PbCO3) and angelsite (PbSO4).
• Uses of Lead
  • The principal use of lead is for lead-acid batteries for vehicles, backup emergency systems, the telecoms sector and fork lift trucks.
  •  Lead is also used in rolled and extruded products, compounds in the glass and plastics industries, shot and ammunition and for radiation shielding. 

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Lead Impact on Human Health

• It is highly toxic to humans and the environment.
• Exposure to lead can affect multiple body systems and is particularly harmful to young children and women of child-bearing age.
• Lead is distributed to the brain, liver, kidney and bones. It is stored in the teeth and bones, where it can accumulate over time.

Source: TH