Metals in Medicine

Lead: a toxic metal that protects us from x-rays

Periodic Table with lead highlighted

Some metals are toxic and we want to prevent them getting into our bodies as much as possible. One of these metals is lead.

Lead can damage various systems in the body and is especially harmful to the development of young brains. But we didn't always know that lead is bad for us and it has been used for many things in the past which we are now phasing out e.g. lead in petrol (added as an 'anti-knocking agent), lead in paints (lead compounds give very vibrant colours) and lead pipes to transport water into our houses.

In the time of Elizabeth I, it was fashionable for ladies to look very pale and they used white lead compounds as make-up. This often gave them sores on their faces but off course they just put on more lead make-up to cover them up!! A few women even died of lead poisoning but this didn't stop people following the fashion!

Not all forms of lead are toxic.... lead ore which is found in the earth is not toxic and we use lead crystal glasses which are safe. Also lead glass as a shield in medical x-ray apparatus.

A lead mine near Strontian, Argyll & Bute

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Metals Are Essential for Life - Lithium treats mental illness - Carbonate - Why Are Fizzy Drinks Bad for our Teeth? - Iron compounds are essential to life - Iron Makes Our blood red - How Do We Get Energy From Oxygen? - Iron is Used to Make Steel - Platinum is Used in Treating Cancer - Cis and Trans? - Titanium is used to make hip replacements - Barium is used to see inside our bodies - Lead: a toxic metal that protects us from x-rays

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