M9.4 Blog: Heavy Metals
Lead exposure, especially in children, is a particular public health concern because it's effects can be subtle when exposure levels are low. Since it is inhumane to conduct experiments with lead in children, we can only conduct observation studies. Though these are not the "gold standard" in research studies, it is not difficult to see that constant low exposures of lead in children is very detrimental to their overall health and developmental growth. The low exposures are difficult to identify early on because there aren't any manifestation of physical symptoms.
In the Nigeria study, children who were exposed to to lead were given chelan treatment and their overall blood lead levels dramatically decreased. I found this as an interesting piece of information because I was naively unaware of possible treatments for exposure. I do not know if this is currently being offered to children and residents of Flint, MI, but I certainly hope it is. This could help reverse some of the exposures the children have been exposed to.
In the Nigeria study, children who were exposed to to lead were given chelan treatment and their overall blood lead levels dramatically decreased. I found this as an interesting piece of information because I was naively unaware of possible treatments for exposure. I do not know if this is currently being offered to children and residents of Flint, MI, but I certainly hope it is. This could help reverse some of the exposures the children have been exposed to.
I also appreciate the Nigeria study, I knew treatments were possible but I had never really looked into much. I hope too that this same, at least similar, treatment is being offered to those living in Flint, MI.
ReplyDeleteI think based on this and the Nigerai study lead should be fully banned globally to prevent the damaging effects on children and people around the world. It always seems like unsafe practices leave developed countries and land on developing ones for their detriment.
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