What The Glass Industry Should Know About Lead

The toxicity of lead was recognized centuries ago. Until relatively recently, concern was largely restricted to overt or readily diagnosable symptoms such as encephalopathy, anaemia and renal disease. Interest centered largely on occupational exposures and there was little understanding of the specific biochemical or metabolic effects. During the past 20 years sensitive methods which can detect cognitive and behavioural changes that are not clinically apparent in either adults or children have been developed. In addition, research has improved our understanding of the mode of action of lead at the molecular level. The current status of lead is reviwed in this paper.