Lead

From Anvita Health Wiki

Contents 1 Introduction 2 Occurrence 3 Characteristics 4 Uses 5 More General Terms 6 Additional Terms 7 References

Introduction

• From the Anglo-Saxon word for lead, laedan. The symbol Pb is from the Latin word for lead, plumbum. Known to ancient civilizations. Alchemists associated lead with the planet Saturn. They also believed that it could be transformed into gold.

Occurrence

• generally obtained from galena (lead sulfide)
• elemental lead is found infrequently

Characteristics

• bluish white metallic element
• heavy, soft, malleable, ductile plastic but inelastic
• poor conductor of electricity
• very resistant to corrosion
• moderately toxic when ingested (see lead poisoning)
• cumulative toxin

Uses

• pipes
• cable sheaths
• batteries
• solder
• shields against radioactivity

• X-ray equipment
• nuclear reactors

• ammunition
• once used entensively in paints & gasoline, but use has been eliminated because of health hazzards

More General Terms

• chemical element
• metal

Additional Terms

• lead in blood
• lead poisoning (plumbism)
• Pb+2
• periodic table

References

1. Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, Miriam- Webster Inc. Springfield, MA 1990
2. Chemical & Engineering News, Sept 8, 2003

lead [Pb]