The Toxicity of Lead

Lead is an extremely useful commodity
Lead ranks fifth in tonnage consumed worldwide following iron, copper, aluminum, and zinc. Lead has outstanding physical properties:

• Low melting point
• Ease of casting
• High density
• Malleability
• Low strength
• Ease of fabrication

The principal uses of lead in descending order are:

• Storage batteries
• Pigments
• Ammunition
• Solders
• Plumbing
• Cable coverings
• Bearings
• Caulking

In addition, lead is used to attenuate sound waves, radiation, and mechanical vibration.

Lead is toxic
Lead is a cumulative poison that can be ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. Lead is toxic to the central nervous system, kidneys, cardiovascular system, and developing red blood cells at very low blood levels beginning at 10 mg/dL. It is especially toxic to developing fetuses and children. It causes delayed development, diminished intelligence, and altered behavior. Severe toxicity can cause sterility and abortion, as well as neonatal mortality and morbidity. Growing scientific evidence and public awareness of lead's toxicity has provoked increasingly stringent regulation and prohibition of the use of lead.

Ecomass® Compounds can replace lead in many applications
Lead is still one of the most common, but least seen, metals in use today. Manufacturers and consumers alike are interested in nontoxic alternatives to lead because of its:

• Toxicity to humans and wildlife
• Environmental concerns for disposal
• Future contamination of the soil and water
• Tremendously expensive remediation costs mandated by federal agencies.

Ecomass Compounds do not have the chemical properties of lead and therefore are not a viable alternative in applications such as batteries, pigments, solders, etc. However, it does have the density of lead and can be formulated to overcome characteristics of lead that may be a negative in certain applications. Additionally, it has attributes - such as injection and compression moldability and high yield strength - not associated with lead.