lead poisoning

noun

: chronic intoxication that is produced by the absorption of lead into the system and is characterized especially by fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, anemia, a dark line along the gums, and muscular paralysis or weakness of limbs

called also saturnism

Examples of lead poisoning in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some symptoms and effects of lead poisoning include developmental delays, learning difficulties, decreased memory and lowered IQ, according to the Washington Ozaukee Public Health Department. —Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 11 June 2024

But the lead poisoning argument rested largely on a lock of hair (the Hiller lock) that the 2023 analysis showed was not authentic and actually belonged to a woman. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 13 May 2024

At least 385 cases of lead poisoning have been reported in 42 states from the tainted products, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2024

Many of these faculty have had experience working on issues outside of the usual ones involving security or international economics; for example, on issues such as abating lead poisoning in Bangladesh or dealing with Russian election interference from inside one of the Silicon Valley platforms. —Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1842, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

lead poisoning

noun

: an abnormal condition that is caused by absorption of lead into the body and results in various bodily symptoms (as tiredness, nausea, loss of appetite, and paralysis or weakness of the muscles)

Medical Definition

lead poisoning

noun

: a serious acute or chronic condition that is caused by exposure and absorption of lead (such as lead carbonate) and is characterized by variable symptoms including fatigue, abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, impaired cognitive development or function, joint and muscle pain, loss of appetite, anemia, a dark line along the gums, encephalopathy, seizures, paralysis, and kidney damage

called also plumbism, saturnism