Lead is a soft, malleable metal that has been used for thousands of years in various applications. It is extracted from galena and often found with silver and gold. Lead is toxic and can cause neurological problems, but it is still used in alloys, projectiles, radiation shields, and some paints.
Lead is a metallic chemical element classified among the poor metals of the periodic table of elements. It has a wide range of historical and current applications, and many consumers own products containing it. This element does not typically appear in a pure form in nature; it is extracted from galena, a mineral with a high lead content, through a smelting process. Lead is also sometimes associated in nature with silver and gold, two other very useful metals.
Humans have been using lead for thousands of years. Because this metal is extremely soft, it is very easy to work with and early smiths could manipulate it with minimal heat. Numerous cultural artifacts contain lead, often in the form of metal alloys, and the ancients were obviously very familiar with the metal, though unfortunately not with its adverse health effects. One of its most infamous historical uses was in Roman plumbing and pewter, an alloy that was used to make many household items, including cups and plates.
When lead is freshly isolated, it is a lustrous, silvery metal. However, exposure to air causes it to tarnish quickly, acquiring a dull gray color that is familiar to many people. The item is soft enough to be cut with shears or a knife, and has a very low melting point. It also happens to be resistant to many corrosives. Lead has atomic number 82, and is identified on the periodic table of elements with the symbol Pb. If you are wondering what the letters “P” and “B” have to do with LEAD, the “Pb” refers to the Latin name, plumbum; the English name appears to be of Celtic origin.
The uses of lead are innumerable. Corrosion resistance and malleability make it a popular additive for alloys, and it is also used in projectiles, solder stock, radiation shields, and some paints. Lead has also historically been used as an additive in glass, which is why some ancient and modern glass is unsafe to eat or drink. It was also the material of choice for movable type from the 1400s, when Gutenberg invented movable type printing, to today; several foundries still cast lead type and other equipment for use with letterpress machines.
Many people are aware that this item is toxic. Lead is a neurotoxin, so it will attack the brain and spinal cord. Because it bioaccumulates in the body, someone can suffer from lead poisoning slowly without being aware of what’s going on. When someone presents with neurological problems to a doctor or hospital, this metal poisoning is sometimes on the list of suspects.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
