Abstract
Editorials21 August 2012Redefining Toxic Lead Levels Among AdultsAshwini R. Sehgal, MDAshwini R. Sehgal, MDFrom Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44109.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-157-4-201208210-00013 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Because lead makes up a miniscule part of the earth's crust, humans evolved in an essentially unleaded environment. It was not until 5000 years ago that metallurgists figured out how to smelt lead and separate it from silver, its most valuable contaminant. Civilizations rose and fell depending on their access to silver-containing lead ore. Later recognition of lead's malleability and density led to myriad uses, including in weapons, weights, and plumbing. Moreover, lead in its carbonate form, which has a pure white color, was used extensively in pigments and paints (1). Unfortunately, lead is toxic, and the ancient Greeks and ...
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