It's long been known that exposure to lead, even at low levels, might increase the risk of numerous age-related diseases. Now, to add one more to the list, a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) has found that long-term lead exposure increases the risk of cataracts, cloudy areas in the lens of the eye that cause vision problems and even blindness.
The study, which included close to 800 men in their late 60s and spanned nine years, was prompted by the fact that lead causes oxidative damage in body tissues, and cataracts are known to be related to such oxidative damage.
It was found that men with the most lead in their bones were 2.7 times more likely to have cataracts than those with the least lead. Bone lead levels, which are more stable over time, were used in order to determine the effects of long-term exposure, as lead levels in the blood can vary over the short term. No link was found between cataracts and lead levels in the blood, which suggests the incidence of cataracts was associated with exposure to lead over several years or more.
Researchers said being exposed to lead over time at levels commonly experienced by U.S. adults appears to be an important risk factor for cataracts. They suggested that reducing lead exposure could help to decrease the "global burden of cataract," but added that additional studies are needed to confirm the finding.
They also pointed out the importance of protecting yourself from lead exposure in your environment by taking the following measures:
Journal of the American Medical Association, December 8, 2004;292:2750-2754
In another article in this newsletter issue I shared some results from a comprehensive study about mercury and, sadly, how its toxicity is still very much up for debate on the side of conventional medicine. How lead, as mentioned in the above article, merits concern and mercury is downplayed makes no sense to me whatsoever. But I digress ...
The fact that health problems associated with environmental exposures to heavy metals like lead are being addressed is a positive step. As I wrote in a past article titled Five Common Toxic Metals to Avoid the major sources of lead in the environment are
If you're thinking that it sounds difficult to avoid lead exposure given this long list of sources, you are correct. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to completely avoid environmental contaminants like lead and other heavy metals. But there are some things that can help:
Check your tap water for lead (low-level exposure to lead, such as through drinking water is associated with brain dysfunction in children, neurobehavioral changes in adults, hypertension and chronic kidney disease)
Purchase a shower filter to reduce absorption of lead through the skin, nose and mouth
Beware of peeling or flaking paint, especially in older homes that used lead-based paints
Eat as much organic food as possible, and don't eat food from lead-soldered cans
Avoid dishes with ceramic glazes that could contain lead
Don't smoke -- cigarette smoke contains lead
Avoid lead crystal dishware
Children are more susceptible to lead absorption than adults, so it's especially important to keep them away from toxic areas like demolition sites or dumps
If you are exposed to lead while on the job, consider changing occupations (more than 800,000 U.S. workers are exposed to lead through their work)
Don't wrap food in the printed side of plastic bags -- the ink may contain lead that could leach into your food
Related Articles:
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Lead Poisoning Risk From Some Candles
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Beware of Lead in Your Tap Water