Pollutants Lead (Pb)

Description:
Lead is a heavy, soft metal with a metallic blue hue. Pb has no characteristic smell or taste. Minute lead particles can get into the air and travel long distances. When inhaled or ingested, lead particles are toxic. Lead is a cumulative poison to the central nervous system and is particularly damaging to the mental development of young children.

Source:
The most common uses of lead are in non-ferrous smelters, X-ray equipment, pipe and tank lining, lead-based paints, the manufacturing of batteries, and for shielding radioactive materials due to its high density and nuclear properties. Atmospheric concentrations of lead derived significantly from gasoline additives used prior to the 1970s, before "unleaded" gasoline began to be manufactured. While leaded gasoline is banned in North America, it is still common practice in some parts of the world.