Workers Exposed to Lead Have High Alzheimer’s Risk
Checking for heavy metal in the body is such an easy and inexpensive test, it really should be used more often; especially considering the impact of heavy metals on human health.
Workers exposed to lead have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in later years, according to research presented here during the American Academy of Neurology’s 52nd Annual Meeting. “People who have worked in jobs with high levels of lead exposure are up to 3.4 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease,” according to an Academy press release. According to the news release, “activities that can expose workers to lead are: smelting or casting lead; removing lead coatings (welding, brazing, cutting, sanding or blasting old paints); heating, machining or spraying lead products, and making lead products (lead-acid battery manufacturing, lead glazing pottery making, cable production, ammunition manufacture, production of lead pipe, cable shielding, electronic components, paint and ink manufacture).” “Public health efforts have been successful in removing lead from sources such as gasoline and lead-soldered food and drink cans,” Dr. Koss commented. “However, we need to remain vigilant about other sources of lead in the home and in the work place, including decaying old paint, contaminated soil or drinking water, hobbies and occupational exposure.”