lead poisoning

Definition of lead poisoning

: 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 That would be community and philanthropy leaders, Hurley Hospital, Michigan State University, foundations and Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, the whistleblower pediatrician who alerted the world to the lead poisoning. — Rochelle Riley, Freep.com, "Flint boy was suspended, sent home from school 50+ times. His mom blames water crisis.," 13 Dec. 2019 The lead poisoning and asthma rates here are some of the nation’s highest, and 43 percent of East St. Louis residents live below the poverty line. — NBC News, "In a struggling Rust Belt city, residents fight to bring pre-K to child care deserts," 16 Nov. 2019 But habitat loss, hunting and lead poisoning caused their population to drop to just 22 nationwide by 1982. — Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, The Mercury News, "Editorial: Trump’s birdbrain plan to weaken Endangered Species Act," 15 Aug. 2019 Baltimore, where nearly a quarter of the population lives in poverty, is particularly plagued by lead poisoning. — Justin Worland, Time, "President Trump Condemned Baltimore as 'Disgusting.' His Administration’s Policies Aren't Exactly Helping," 31 July 2019 If one bill were passed, the Indiana State Department of Health would have to double the number of children on Medicaid who are screened for lead poisoning. — London Gibson, Indianapolis Star, "Here's the latest on environmental bills, including sewage, factory farms, electric vehicles," 16 Jan. 2020 The number of Maryland children who tested positive for lead poisoning fell 11% in 2018, state health and environmental officials said Wednesday. — Scott Dance, baltimoresun.com, "Number of Maryland children tested positive for lead poisoning fell 11% in 2018," 23 Oct. 2019 Cleanup at the cathedral was paused earlier this month over concerns that precautions to avoid lead poisoning were not stringent enough, according to Sky News. — Billy Perrigo, Time, "Notre Dame Fire: Environmental Group Files Lead Poisoning Lawsuit," 30 July 2019 Once endangered by hunting, pesticides and lead poisoning, it was removed from endangered animal lists in 2007 but is still protected under federal law, along with state and municipal laws. — Elizabeth Wolfe And Renee Valdes, CNN, "Indiana conservation officials need the public's help to find the person who fatally shot a bald eagle," 22 Dec. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lead poisoning.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near lead poisoning

lead-pipe cinch

Statistics for lead poisoning

Last Updated

23 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Lead poisoning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lead%20poisoning. Accessed 24 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for lead poisoning

lead poisoning

Medical Definition of lead poisoning

: 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

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