Lead
lead, Pb, plomo
What it is
Lead is a toxic heavy metal contaminant that can reach food through contaminated soil and water and through materials used to prepare, store or serve food.
Why BOTIA flags it
Lead crosses the placenta and affects the developing nervous system: in children it is associated with lower cognitive ability even at low exposures. Lead stored in bone is mobilised during pregnancy and lactation, so an exposure from years ago can reach the baby. JECFA withdrew its weekly limit because it could not establish a safe level — no amount without effect is known. It reaches food from soil, water from old pipes and sometimes from spices or poorly glazed ceramics.
BOTIA CAN
- Explain the main food-related routes of lead exposure, including contaminated soil, old plumbing, spices and poorly glazed ceramics.
- Explain why the Woman layer matters: lead crosses the placenta, and lead stored in bone can return to the blood during pregnancy and lactation.
BOTIA CANNOT
- Measure the amount of lead in a food from its ingredient list.
- Know a person's blood lead level or bone stores, or determine from one label how much lead reached a fetus or infant.