Lead And Zinc Essay

Lead and zinc are mostly present at the same occupational source, usually found as co-contaminants at specific sites and are among the top 10 substances found most frequently at national priorities list (NPL) sites with a completed exposure pathway.1 Lead has been known to humankind from ancient times and its use was increased immensely from 17th century onwards due to industrial revolution. Primarily lead was used in paints, ships, gasoline, pottery etc. However upon recognizing debilitated toxic potential of lead, its use was reduced from 20th century onwards. Though reductions in its use from late 20th century were recorded by removal of lead from gasoline, but due to the vast benefits and unique physical and chemical characteristics, its use were introduced into new things like batteries, grease, solders, smelting, tile factories etc.2 Zinc on other hand is essential trace element of living organisms and without it number of functions in body cannot occur. Zinc is an important ion of reaction centre in large number of enzymes and proteins. Lead is been known to have a role in damaging DNA, while on other hand zinc helps in the process of replication and transcription and is also an important ion in zinc finger proteins.3 Occupational exposure is one of the important sources which causes …show more content…
It has not studied whether both these metals act on altering physiological functions or that zinc being an essential nutrient help in reducing stress caused due to lead toxicity. Zinc has an essential role in normal functioning of the body, has extensive medical importance and act as an important antioxidant.4-6
The toxicological effects of lead are evident in living organisms mostly on nervous system, respiratory system, reproductive system etc.7 However there is a dearth of knowledge in understanding the effect of lead and zinc admixture on humans when they are usually present at the same