Lead Industry and its Environmental Impacts

Lead Industry and its Environmental Impacts
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Lead Industry and its Environmental Impacts
Introduction
There are a number of environmental impacts associated with Lead. Lead is a common and important metal which has been utilized by people for hundreds of years. However, lead is also a very hazardous toxic substance, especially for young children whenever it is ingested or inhaled by accident (Rabin, 2009). Even though this metal is commonly found within the environment, it does not have any purpose within a human body, and if it gets inside the human body, the human body would confuse it with vital nutrients like calcium. It is noteworthy that this confusion could result in a lasting damage to health of both grownups and young children. In this paper, a 5-10 year historical account of Lead Industry and its Environmental Impacts case study is described in an in-depth manner. Key issues and debates which are associated with the case, both empirical and theoretical are included with main focus on the last 5 years. Moreover, how the case has been taken up by formal and informal national and international actors is comprehensively compared and contrasted. The key questions to be examined, what has allowed the success/failure when it comes to addressing the case and the most/least promising position are also discussed, along with where cooperation might be possible between the different actors.
A 5-10 year historical account of the case study
In the lead industry, the metal is utilized for various purposes. The various sources of lead of in the environment include the following: Lead paint: this is essentially the main source of lead. It is notable that lead carbonate is usually included to paint in order to enhance durability, speed drying and keep the surface from corrosion. Lead is only damaging when it is flaking, unpeeling or coming off from the surface (Spanier et al., 2013). Imported candies: this harmful substance has also been discovered in both candy wrappers and candy that are imported into the United States from Asia and Mexico. Other sources are contaminated soil, certain jewelry, some imported dishware, and vinyl mini-blinds, lead contaminated water and food. It is also used extensively used in battery manufacturing, demolition, pipe fitting, smelting operations as well as in glass production.
Impacts on people: Lead has very detrimental impacts on environmental health. It is of note that animals, people and fish are mostly exposed to lead through soil, water, dust and eating it in food or ingesting it. In essence, this metal substance builds up in the muscles, bones, fat and blood. Young children and infants are especially sensitive to even slight lead levels. Lead affects the nerves and brain: basically, too much exposure to lead causes mood changes, memory problems, seizures, behavioral disorders and mental retardation. Low levels of this toxic substance damages the nerves and brain in both young children and fetuses leading to lowered IQ and learning deficiencies (Roberts et al., 2013). Lead damages organs: this metal is known to cause damage to body organs such as liver and kidney. Exposure to it might also result in reproductive disorders and osteoporosis, that is, fragile bone disease. Lead affects blood and the heart: exposure to this metal increases heart disease and results in hypertension particularly in men (Tsering, Lei & Cherry, 2013).
Impacts on soil: It is known that this metal builds up in the soil, especially soil that has a high organic content. When deposited on the ground, lead is transmitted to the higher levels of the soil surface from where it might remain for more than 1900 years (Korfmacher & Hanley, 2013). In soils that are plowed, the lead is combined with soil. Considering the chemistry of lead within soil, the irregular distribution of lead within ecosystems could dislocate other metals from the binding sites on the organic matter. This lead might hamper the chemical breakdown of inorganic fragments of soil.
Impacts on plants and animals: Tame and wild animals could consume lead as they graze. These animals would experience similar sort of effects as humans who get exposed to the metal. The metal affects the central nervous system of animals, and slows down their capability of synthesizing red blood cells. In regards to plants, studies show that small concentrations of lead metal could slow the growth of vegetation that are close to industrial facilities (O'Grady & Perron, 2011). Lead contamination will coat the surface of leaves and reduce the amount of light that reaches the leaves. This stunts the growth of the plant or even kills the plant by decreasing photosynthesis rate, and inhibits respiration. Affects fish: it is noteworthy that lead could go into water systems from industrial waste streams, sewage and through runoff. High levels of this metal in water could cause reproductive damage in certain marine life and result in neurological as well as blood alterations in aquatic animals like fish (O'Grady & Perron, 2011).
Key issues and debates associated with the case: the key issues related to the case are majorly about reducing lead, raising awareness of lead poisoning – particularly childhood lead poisoning – as well as prevention of lead poisoning and adopting protective practices. If one suspects his/her home to be having high levels of lead, then such an individual is advised to: contact a trained lead contractor to get rid of lead; have water from faucets tested; clean windowsills, floors as well as door frames using lead-specific cleaning products such as tri-sodium phosphate detergent (Zierold, Havlena & Anderson, 2009). Moreover, the hands of children must be washed regularly particularly after playing, and before eating and sleeping. Children should be taught not to eat paint chips, dirt, or sand. Pregnant women and children should be kept out of an old house when it is being refurbished, since lead dust could be easily stirred up. A balanced diet comprising sufficient amounts of phosphorous, iron, vitamin C, calcium and zinc could prevent or reduce the absorption of lead. Furthermore, beverages and/or food should not be stored in recycled metal cans or crystal containers which were not made in the United States since they may contain some lead. Painted wood should not be burnt (Roberts et al., 2013).
How the case has...