Lead poisoning can be hard to detect as symptoms often don’t appear until dangerous amounts have accumulated. Here are some symptoms associated with lead poisoning:
- Developmental delay
- Learning difficulties
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Hearing loss
- Seizures
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Slow growth
- High blood pressure
- Joint and muscle pain
- Difficulties with memory or concentration
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Mood disorders
- Reduced sperm count
- Miscarriage, stillbirth or premature birth in pregnant women
If you or someone you know is exhibiting symptoms of lead poisoning, seek medical attention immediately. It’s important to note that exposure to even low amounts of lead can affect how a person thinks, learns, and grows. For that reason, there is no level of lead that is considered to be safe—especially for young children.