Lead poisoning is not only an environmental disease but also a
disease of lifestyle. Lead is one of the best studied toxic substances,
hence we know more about the adverse health effects of lead than
virtually any other chemical. Lead is a ubiquitous and versatile metal
that has been used by mankind for over 6000 years and is today one of
the most widely distributed toxins in the environment. Lead in the
environment can derive from either natural or anthropogenic sources.
Lead is a soft, silvery grey metal, melting at 327.5°C, highly resistant
to corrosion, pliable, having high density, low elasticity, high thermal
expansion, low melting point, easy workability, easily recycled,
excellent antifriction metal, and inexpensive /1-2/. Due to these
properties, lead is used for various purposes. Lead and its compounds
can enter the environment at any point during mining, smelting,
processing, use, recycling, or disposal /l/. Lead is mainly used in acid
batteries, colored pigments, jewelry industries for making silver rings
and soldering, petrol additives (tetra ethyl and tetra methyl), ship
construction. The metal is also used in solder applied to water
distribution pipes and to the seams of cans used to store food /1-2/