Human Exposure to Lead, Mechanism of Toxicity and Treatment Strategy- A Review

Abstract

Lead is one of the earliest metals discovered by humans. It has a number of unique properties such as softness, high malleability, ductility, low melting point, resistance to corrosion and low cost. This has made its widespread usage in different industrial sectors, which in turn has led to its manifold occurrence in free form in biological systems and the inert environment. Over the last few decades, with the adverse effects of lead coming to the forefront, nations across the world have started to recognise lead toxicity. This review covers the history behind the usage of lead, sources of lead exposure, absorption, distribution and excretion of lead, toxic signs and symptoms of lead toxicity and methods to evaluate the lead levels and the current treatment regimen. This also covers the details of current research work going on in the area of herbal remedies against lead induced liver damage.