So what do you need to know about lead paints? What to do to prevent or treat the disease associated with exposure to lead (lead poisoning)?

Lead paint is a lead paint; which we added lead compounds (oil lacquer paint) to give it specific properties. The lead contained in the paint reinforces the color of the latter, lead is anticorrosive, it allows the paint to dry quickly. In 2009, studies were carried out to assess the concentration of lead in paints from 10 countries around the world. From this analysis, it results that the lead contents of the paints examined vary between - 90 ppm (90 mg/kg) to - 90 ppm (90 +100,000ppm (100,000mg/kg). There are several sources of lead exposure

Among them, we note the manufacture of paint products; lead in factories, the application of lead paint in buildings, the licking of toys (hand-to-mouth contact), the lead pipe (tap water), the use of artisanal dishes, cosmetics ticks containing lead, etc. Lead poisoning, i.e. the disease linked to lead poisoning exposure to lead is the manifestation of the presence of a quantity too high lead in the body. It is provoked by exposure to lead through the digestive tract or by inhalation. Children are most vulnerable to lead poisoning because they regularly put their hands and other soiled or contaminated objects in their mouths. We also note the workers and professionals who risk the exposure of their family to lead because they can transport lead dust from their place of work to their homes. their home, without forgetting the pregnant woman who can also contaminate her child in utero.

The effects of lead poisoning or lead poisoning are as follows:

- Children

o Decreased cognitive and sensorimotor performance (lower IQ);
o Alteration in height, weight and sexual development of young children;
o Behavioral problems (hyperactivity/inattention/impulsivity);
o Decreased sharpness. auditory.

- For pregnant women

o Impaired fetal development;
o Complication of the pregnancy process;
o Miscarriages, Fetal death;
o Premature deliveries.

- In adolescents and adults

o Increased risk of chronic kidney disease,< br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />o Impairment of sperm quality & decreased male fertility.

To avoid lead poisoning, you should:

- Keep your home free of dust,
- Remove shoes before entering the house,
- Take a shower immediately after work if working on materials or products containing lead,
- Do not never scratch or burn the paint or objects covered with paint,
- Protect yourself well before carrying out welding activities, keep damaged paintwork etc.

To treat lead poisoning:

- Diagnose lead poisoning by measuring the level of lead in the body (blood lead),
- Screen, then measure buildup of lead in bone tissue;
- Drugs called "chelators" may be used. drug attacks lead and eliminates it in the urine.

Even after treatment, some children's blood lead levels do not drop below 10 µg/L. diet and should be followed regularly. only to limit the risks.

Social and economic costs of lead poisoning

- Direct costs: lead poisoning treatment costs.
-- Indirect costs: social costs such as necessity to implement specialized education to combat lead-induced intellectual disabilities and loss of productivity due to lower intelligence quotient (IQ).

Economic impact of childhood lead exposure on national economies (0MS, 2013):

- Total cumulative loss $977 billion per year in all low- and middle-income countries.
- Estimated economic loss for Africa is $134.7 billion or 4.03% of GDP. In the United States 1 dollar invested in the fight against the dangers of lead paint would fetch $17-221.

Discontinuing the use of paints lead has a low cost and several manufacturers have already managed to reformulate their products to avoid adding lead.