Lead

 Lead (Pb)

Lead doesn't corrode. It also absorbs oxygen from the air and changes into Lead Oxide. Lead melts at 600.65K and boils at 2013K. It is usually a gray to light bluish color and is metallic. It leaves a light gray streak and is very malleable and ductile. Wh **** ere Lead is Found: ** Lead is found in various places in nature. The element lead is found in many places relatively deep in the Earth's crust. The mineral is usually found with other minerals such as gold, marble, and limestone. Lead is also found in many other places thanks to man's extensive use of it. When lead was in gasoline, much of it went out the exhaust and into the air where it can be breathed by people or absorbed by plants and soil, which people would later eat. Traces of lead are still found in many of the world's water supplies due to some areas still having lead pipes in service. How **** Lead R **** ecovered and Purified: ** Lead is not usually found in a pure state. It is found in an ore that commonly also has sulphur or arsenic in it. It is put into a furnace and roasted. The sulphur and arsenic oxidizes and eventually forms slag at the bottom of the furnace which is taken out, and the now pure molten lead is let out and ready to be crafted into a product. I am getting this out of the way right now. **Pencils do not have lead in them**. Lead does happen to be found in many other things though. It is very common for lead to be used in the making of ammunition or lead acid batteries used for cars. It was also a very common component in paint for decades and many houses made before the 80's probably contains some lead paint on the walls. This was recently stopped because living in a house with a neurotoxin on every wall was deemed ridiculous. Lead paint was also used on many toys. In 2007, lead paint lead to the recall of millions of toys due to the hazardous effects they could have on children. It can be used as an insecticide, though this is not common as it has awful effects beyond killing bugs once used. As was already stated, lead used to be used in gasoline, but that was banned due to the negative effects on the environment it caused. Scientists may use lead in tests involving radiation as radiation does not pass through it. It can also be used as a sound proofer and there are places that use a lead lining in walls to help muffle outside noises. Scientists may also use lead to contain corrosive materials as lead does not corrode. Disposal of lead is relatively simple. Most states allow lead (lead paint chips, lead piping, lead toys) to be thrown in the garbage and brought to a dump. They can also be brought to specific disposal centers that may smelt it to make pure reusable lead. Neurotoxins and people don't mix well. Lead happens to be a neurotoxin. Lead pipes were used in some of the earliest plumbing in Roman times. This made small amounts of lead turn up in their drinking water and food, leading to widespread sterility and gout among citizens. It also had negative effects on mental development, especially in children. During the Dark Ages, lead was occasionally rubbed on the skin because it gave it a special sheen. This led to widespread lead poisoning. Though civilization has moved beyond these practices, it is still possible to come into contact with lead. Even short exposure to high levels of lead can lead to convulsions, vomiting, comas, and death. Long term exposure to smaller amounts of lead can turn into anaemia. The effects are worst in young children who are still developing mentally and physically. Their intelligence, behavior, and size at birth are all susceptible to lead.
 * Chemical and Physical Properties: **
 * Uses of Lead **** : **
 * Lead, and Why You Sho **** uldn't Ingest It: **

**Citations:** "Disposal of Lead-Contaminated Waste to Prevent Exposure to Lead: Environmental Health - Minnesota Dept. of Health." //Minnesota Department of Health//. Web. 23 Nov. 2009. .

"It's Your Health - Effects of Lead on Human Health." //Health Canada//. Nov. 2002. Web. 22 Nov. 2009. .

Lewis, Jack. "Lead Poisoning: A Historical Perspective." //U.S. Environmental Protection Agency//. Web. 22 Nov. 2009. .

"Metal Matters - Lead." //Oracle ThinkQuest Library//. Web. 22 Nov. 2009. .

"The Physical Properties of Lead | ." //Gold Prospecting & Panning | Gold Mining & Metallurgy | .// Web. 22 Nov. 2009. .

"The Physical Properties of Lead." //Gold Prospecting & Panning | Gold Mining & Metallurgy//. Web. 22 Nov. 2009. .

"Uses And Chemical Properties Of Lead." //ChestofBooks.com//. Web. 22 Nov. 2009. .

