Incorporation of Lead in Blood and Body, Leading to Lead Poisoning - Assignment Example

The majority of us are exposed to lead compounds in our daily routines. People working in factories utilizing lead make use of inorganic lead in their operations. This lead enters the body via inhalation or ingestion swallowing and gets trapped in the respiratory tract at different sites depending on the size of the particles inhaled. Larger particles get stuck in the mucosal layer and cilia lining the upper trachea. This mucous upon swallowing becomes a part of the digestive tract thus the feeling of nausea. The remaining comparatively smaller particles make their way toward the lungs and ultimately get absorbed into the bloodstream via the bronchioles. It can cause many diseases if the exposure is prolonged or if their storage is in excess. It retards the functioning of many organs and deteriorates the blood’s ability to manufacture red blood cells. These red blood cells contain an oxygen-carrying red pigment called hemoglobin. Excessive lead compounds limit the oxygen-carrying capacity by hindering the production of red blood cells. Hence the symptoms of headache and vomiting are felt by the patients.

The levels of lead in the blood differ on the basis of exposure. Lead poisoning ranges from a half-life of twenty- five to forty days and can be easily prevented by adopting the requisite hygienic measures and observing a routine checkup for workers who are continuously exposed to it. Lead is stored in the body; small amounts can be significant to cause sufficient poisoning even if continuous exposure is not observed. (Patrick 2013).