Exposure to lead can have significant health impacts on different groups of people, influencing various aspects of their well-being and daily life. Respiratory issues can arise when inhalable dust and particles from pulverized lead products cause mechanical irritation or lung damage.
What sort of impact does use, storage or disposal have on the environment?
How does it affect our environment in the short term?
How will it affect the cultural, ethnic, and/or economic divides?
Subtopic
Is it desirable or undesirable on any of these scales: global, country, region, company, immediate
neighbors, people in general
Society
How are different groups of people affected?
Respiratory Exposure
If the product is pulverised, it may produce inhalable dust and particles.
Respirable particles, like any other particulate matter, can induce mechanical irritation of the respiratory system and/or lung damage.
Eye Exposure
When eyes are exposed to strong light for an extended period of time, they may become injured.
Skin Exposure
If the product is broken, sharp items may pierce the coating and come into touch with the skin, causing minor laceration and/or abrasion.
Alteration/damage to the product can expose the user to extra unforeseeable and unpredictable risks, such as electrical hazards.
What effects will it have on lifestyle and living conditions?
Cardiovascular consequences, such as elevated blood pressure and the occurrence of hypertension, can occur in adults who have been exposed to lead. Kidney function might also be affected. Problems with reproduction (in both men and women).
