Old Lead Alert

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Lead Alert

 

Western and Eastern Treasures Magazine

 

Peoples Publishing

 

February 1996

 

Lead Alert

 

Bill Gallagher

 

One of the first nonferrous targets recovered by any

new metal detectorist is invariably lead, in one of

its myriad forms, and this is because there is a lot

of lead in the ground. Recorded Statistics show that

between the years 1720, and 1979 54,867,900 TONS of

this material have been added to the supply in the

United States alone. Of course, not all lead ends up

in the ground, but a lot has, and this poses serious

risks to the health of all living things.

 

Certain types of lead are consistently concentrated in

small areas by human society. There are toxic

situations in every body of water in America where

fishing takes place on a regular basis. Lead in the

form of fishing sinkers literally carpets the bottom

near piers, bridges, jetties and other angling points

of interest. In some places, particularly around

bottom obstructions, sinkers are mounded high and

visible to the naked eye. Plants grow here. Fish feed

here. The food chain begins.

 

Lead Poisoning (Saturnism) in humans occurs by

particle inhalation, absorption through the skin, or

ingestion. The latter, ingestion, is the main cause of

Saturnism in humans. Some cases of lead poisoning have

been traced to food grown on land which is high in

lead refuse. The oxidized metal leaches through the

soil, and, under certain conditions, plants take the

lead up with their nutrients and become poisonous. The

ability of liquids to dissolve solids (Diffusivity)

has long been known to be one of the basic phenomena

of nature, and this occurence makes the lead in our

oceans, rivers, and lakes that much more likely to

insinuate itself into something that will be eaten by

other living things.

 

History is rife with cases of lead poisoning. The

Romans used it to pipe water, and there is evidence to

suggest that the occurence of Saturnism among them was

almost epidemic. Lead is highly toxic to all

biological systems. In humans the damage that can be

caused includes but is not limited to severe brain

damage, and one of the first symptoms is a noticeable

decrease in nerve to muscle transmission. Leads effect

in a biosystem is cumulative, meaning that if you get

it, you've got it for a long time, and unless its

properly diagnosed and treated it can build up in the

system, wreaking havoc and even resulting in death.

 

This information is being perpetuated as a basis to

work from. It is highly recommended that further study

and research accompany any retrieval of lead,

especially where direct handling is involved.

 

Metal Detectors are, of course, the premier tool for

use when cleaning up lead pollution, even though all

divers can participate by hand fanning at fishing

sites. When I dive in my high value salvage efforts I

average 10 pounds of lead per dive, and this is in

swimming areas, not fishing areas.

 

There is plenty to do, and cleanups should begin

immediately. This would be a wonderful way for metal

detecting clubs to turn the tide of public opinion in

their favor. Organize and act. Be vocal and keep good

accounts of the poisons you remove. The rewards will

be immediate and far reaching.

 

Bibliography:

 

Trace Substances and Health edited Paul M Newberne

(MIT, 197) p163

 

Toxicology and Biological Monitoring of Metals in

Humans by Carson Ellis McCann (EPA Approved Printing

1986) p131

 

Handbook of Poisoning by Robert Dreisbach MD PhD p230

 

Toxics A-Z (1991) p334

 

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