What are the symptoms of lead poisoning? (page 5-6)
As we have seen, lead can affect the body on many levels, from individual cells to specific organs and systems including the blood, liver, kidneys, brain, nerves, bones, and reproductive system, as well as hearing and speech functions. In rare cases, severe lead poisoning can cause profound mental retardation, convulsions, coma, or even death.
Most people with lead poisoning show no symptoms. when symptoms do occur, they are usually nonspecific and difficult to identify. Symptoms of lead poisonoing can include any of the following: emotional disturbances, slowed intellectual growth, reduced IQ, inability to concentrate, dreaminess, hyperactivity, fatiuge, loss of apetite, abdominal pain, difficulty sleeping, impaired motor ability, clumsiness, and constipation or diarrhea.