Question

Toxic levels of lead are 5 ug/dL in the blood of children and 10 ug/dL in the blood of adults. If the lead levels were measured at 1.5% m/v and a child with 2.5 L of blood drank 1 L of that water, would they be at risk of lead toxicity? Justify your answer with calculations.

Answer 1

Answer:- Yes, the child will be at risk of lead toxicity.

Explanation :-

Given:-

Toxic levels of lead are 5 ug/dL in the blood of children.

since, and

therefore,

Toxic levels of lead are 0.000005 g/100 ml in the blood of child.

i.e. if 100 ml blood contain 0.000005 g lead it will be toxic.

Now,

we have 1.5 % W/V level of lead in water.

i.e. In 100 ml water, 1.5 g lead is present.

Child drank 1 L (i.e 1000 ml) of that water

We have, 100 ml water = 1.5 g lead

then 1000 ml water = = 15 g lead.

Now, the child has 2.5 L (i.e. 2500 ml) of blood.

ie. 2500 ml blood = 15 g lead

therefore, 100 ml blood = = 0.6 g lead.

i.e. the child have 0.6 g lead in 100 ml blood.

i.e. 0.6 g/dL.

this indicate the child have to high lead in the blood as compaired to toxic level.

therefore, the child will be at risk of lead toxicity.