Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the serious health risks associated with lead exposure, particularly its long-term effects on both children and adults, emphasizing the need for continued monitoring and intervention strategies to mitigate these risks [1][2][4]. Group 1: Health Risks of Lead Exposure - Lead exposure can cause permanent and ongoing health issues, particularly affecting the nervous system and cognitive function in children, leading to a decrease in IQ [1]. - Approximately 94% of lead accumulates in bones and teeth, while only a small fraction remains in the bloodstream, making it difficult to detect and treat lead poisoning effectively [2]. - Long-term exposure to lead is a significant health risk for adults, contributing to various conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, kidney damage, cognitive impairment, and reproductive issues [2][3]. Group 2: Economic Impact of Lead Exposure - A study published in The Lancet Planetary Health estimated that in 2019, around 5.455 million adults died from cardiovascular diseases linked to lead exposure, a figure significantly higher than previous estimates [2][3]. - The total economic loss due to cognitive impairment and cardiovascular disease deaths attributed to lead exposure in 2019 was estimated at $6 trillion, with low- and middle-income countries bearing the heaviest burden [3]. Group 3: Lead Metabolism and Treatment - Lead has a long half-life in the body, with a half-life of approximately 20-30 years in bones, making its elimination a prolonged process [3]. - Treatment for lead poisoning includes chelation therapy, nutritional support, and blood purification, but the removal of lead from other tissues is slow and complex [3]. Group 4: Progress in Lead Control - China has seen a significant reduction in blood lead levels due to effective government policies, with blood lead levels in children aged 3-5 dropping by 78.4% from 2000 to 2018 [4]. - Despite the progress, there is still a lack of large-scale monitoring of blood lead levels in the general population, indicating a need for ongoing attention from health authorities [4].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the permanent and persistent health hazards of lead exposure, particularly its impact on children and adults, emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring and intervention efforts [1][2][4]. Group 1: Health Impacts of Lead Exposure - Lead exposure can cause irreversible damage to the nervous system, particularly in children, leading to a decline in IQ and other cognitive functions [1][2]. - Approximately 94% of lead accumulates in bones and teeth, while only a small fraction remains in the bloodstream, making it difficult to detect and treat lead poisoning effectively [2][3]. - Long-term exposure to lead is linked to various health issues in adults, including cardiovascular diseases, kidney damage, cognitive impairment, immune deficiencies, reproductive disorders, and cancer [2][3]. Group 2: Statistics and Research Findings - A study published in The Lancet Planetary Health estimated that in 2019, around 5.455 million adults died from cardiovascular diseases caused by lead exposure, a figure more than six times previous estimates [2]. - The total economic loss from cognitive impairment and cardiovascular disease deaths due to lead exposure in 2019 was estimated at $6 trillion, with low- and middle-income countries bearing the heaviest burden [2]. - Research indicates that the half-life of lead stored in bones is approximately 20-30 years, complicating the removal process from the body [3]. Group 3: Regulatory and Monitoring Efforts - Effective lead control strategies and policies implemented by the Chinese government have significantly reduced blood lead levels, especially among children, with a reported 78.4% decrease in blood lead levels among 3-5 year-olds over two decades [4]. - Despite the progress, there is still a lack of large-scale monitoring of blood lead levels in the general population, necessitating increased attention from relevant authorities [4].