Lead is a cumulative toxicant that affects the nervous system, blood, kidneys and cardiovascular system. The WHO states that there is no level of lead exposure known to be without harmful effects, and young children are most vulnerable. Lead sheets and lead rubber remain effective shielding materials, but they need careful handling, inspection and disposal.
Reviewed 2026-09-24
How lead enters and stays in the body
Lead is taken in mainly by ingestion and inhalation of dust or fumes. Only part is excreted; the rest accumulates, particularly in bones and teeth, from which it can be released back into the blood over years, including during pregnancy, when it can cross the placenta.
Effects by body system
Nervous system
Encephalopathy; reduced IQ and attention in children; peripheral nerve damage
Blood
Anaemia; reduced haemoglobin synthesis
Kidneys
Kidney damage
Cardiovascular
Raised blood pressure in adults
Digestive
Abdominal colic
Development and reproduction
Slower growth; hearing loss; lead crosses the placenta
Based on the WHO lead poisoning fact sheet. Children and pregnant women are more vulnerable; no level of lead exposure is known to be without harmful effects.
Lead in radiation shielding
Lead sheet and lead rubber have long been the standard X-ray and gamma shielding materials because of lead’s density (11.34 g/cm³) and high atomic number (82). Their drawbacks are weight, toxicity and the need for controlled recycling. Lead-containing products should be inspected for damage and disposed of according to local regulations.
Lead-free shielding materials replace lead with other high-atomic-number elements. “Lead-free” describes composition only: it is not a shielding grade and does not mean every substance is harmless. Some Radbar products — clear lead acrylic, the listed protective eyewear and face shields — contain lead.
References
- WHO — Lead poisoning (fact sheet)
- 新莱福防辐射产品手册（2024-09 V1）科普章节
This encyclopedia is for general and engineering reference and is not medical advice. Consult radiation protection or medical professionals for individual exposure assessment.