Lead Paint Poisoning: What happens to lead when it enters the environment?

Lead occurs naturally in the environment. However, most of the lead found throughout the environment comes from human activities, which can lead to lead paint poisoning.

Before the use of leaded gasoline was banned, most of the lead released into the U.S. environment came from car exhaust. In 1979, cars released 94.6 million kilograms (kg; 1 kg equals 2.2 pounds) of lead into the air in the United States. In 1989, when the use of lead was limited but not banned, cars released only 2.2 million kg to the air. Since EPA banned the use of leaded gasoline for highway transportation in 1996, the amount of lead released into the air has decreased further. Other sources of lead released to the air include burning fuel, such as coal or oil, industrial processes, and burning solid waste.

Once lead goes into the atmosphere, it may travel thousands of miles if the lead particles are small or if the lead compounds easily evaporate. Lead is removed from the air by rain and by particles falling to the ground or into surface water.

The release of lead to air is now less than the release of lead to land. Most of the lead in inner city soils comes from old houses painted with paint containing lead and previous automotive exhaust emitted when gasoline contained lead. Landfills may contain waste from lead ore mining, ammunition manufacturing, or other industrial activities such as battery production.

Sources of lead in dust and soil include lead that falls to the ground from the air, and weathering and chipping of lead-based paint from buildings and other structures.

Lead in dust may also come from windblown soil. Disposal of lead in municipal and hazardous waste dump sites may also add lead to soil. Mining wastes that have been used for sandlots, driveways, and roadbeds can be also sources of lead. Higher levels of lead in soil can be measured near roadways. This accumulation came from car exhaust in the past. Once lead falls onto soil, it usually sticks to soil particles. Small amounts of lead may enter rivers, lakes, and streams when soil particles are moved by rainwater. Lead may remain stuck to soil particles in water for many years.

Movement of lead from soil particles into underground water or drinking water is unlikely unless the water is acidic or "soft." Movement of lead from soil will also depend on the type of lead salt or compound and on the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil. Sources of lead in surface water or sediment include deposits of lead-containing dust from the atmosphere, waste water from industries that handle lead (primarily iron and steel industries and lead producers), urban runoff, and mining piles.

Some of the chemicals that contain lead are broken down by sunlight, air, and water to other forms of lead. Lead compounds in water may combine with different chemicals depending on the acidity and temperature of the water. Lead itself cannot be broken down. The levels of lead may build up in plants and animals from areas where air, water, or soil are contaminated with lead. If animals eat contaminated plants or animals, most of the lead that they eat will pass through their bodies.

Act now! It is essential that you inquire about your case as soon as possible. Litigation may be the only way to receive the damages to which you may be entitled, such as medical and health care bills, lost or diminished wages, and financial compensation to family in the case of death. Your individual state's law may limit your time to bring a legal claim to protect your rights. You need to have your lead paint claim evaluated immediately!

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see also:

Government Lead Paint Recommendations Lead Paint Lawsuit Information: Government Recommendations
Looking for Lead Paint Information: Government Recommendations

Lead Exposure Lead Paint Poisoning - Lawsuit Information, Origins of exposure
Lead Paint Lawsuit: Information on lead poisoning and exposure.

News Warnings Lead Paint Poisoning: News warnings about lead
Lead poisoning? Information overview w/recent news warnings about lead