Toxicité du plomb et de ses dérivés

Abstract

The mining of lead-containing ores began in antiquity; this metal has more uses than any other one. The toxic effects of lead have also been described very early in history, and lead poisoning remains a problem in most countries: occupational exposure is frequent; children poisoning from paint chips or dust is pandemic in some developed countries including France and the USA; in areas where poorly mineralised drinking-water is distributed, lead can leach from water pipes and solder… This paper describes the poisonings due to inorganic and organic lead compounds: mains sources of these substances and circumstances of poisoning, toxicokinetics and toxic effects of lead including carcinogenicity, reproductive and developmental effects, organisation of the screening, diagnosis and medical management of lead poisoning in young children, and the principles of medical surveillance of occupational lead exposure.