What are the Symptoms of Lead Poisoning?

Initially, lead poisoning can be hard to detect. Even people who seem healthy can be experiencing high levels of lead. Symptoms usually don’t appear until dangerous amounts have accumulated in the body. Symptoms of lead poisoning vary with the age of victims:

Symptoms in Children May Include:
• Developmental Delay
• Learning Difficulties
• Irritability
• Loss of Appetite
• Weight loss
• Sluggishness and Fatigue
• Abdominal Pain
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Hearing Loss

Symptoms in Babies Exposed to Lead Before Birth Can Include:
• Learning Difficulties
• Slowed Growth

Although children are primarily at risk, lead poisoning is also dangerous for adults.

Signs and symptoms in Teenagers and Adults May Include:
• High blood pressure
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Joint pains
• Muscle pain
• Declines in mental functioning
• Pain, numbness or tingling of the extremities
• Headache
• Memory loss
• Loss or motor coordination
• Kidney disorders
• Anemia
• Mental retardation
• Lethargy
• Reduced sperm count, abnormal sperm
• Miscarriage or premature birth in pregnant women