Elements alien to the human physiology or the slight overdose of certain elements that are supposed to be of "trace amounts" can have devastating impacts to the body ranging from the lost of consciousness to death. The emergence of the Industrial Revolution during the 19th century proved to be more lethal than innovative to the human condition. The growing American Industry tends to produce products at low cost not minding the health and well-being of its consumer. Government regulation litigates against substances that can create harmful effects to the consumers. Such litigations, for example, the ban against asbestos containing wall protects the end user but just to an extent. Until today, products containing harmful compounds and substances are still on sale at the local Home Depot. Extensive researches are commenced, in the expense of the American public, to avoid these dangers.
Lead, the last stable element in the period table is known to be common in the element poisoning field. There's a high probability that lead poisoning is high because of lead containing products that the "average Joe" buys everyday. Gasoline itself contains a lot of lead before the creation of unleaded gasoline. Paints that are lead based are also dangerous because when paint deteriorates the lead comes off with it. Some residential lots also contain dangerously high amounts of lead. Lead poisoning affects greatly children under 6 years of age because that is their peak time of growth. Seizures that could potentially lead to death are the major effects of lead. A child who survives the death from lead is guaranteed to have behavioral problems and learning disabilities as they grow up. Statistically, children suffering from lead poisonings are declining however; rough 400,000 children are still affected. Those are a lot of potential doctors, lawyers, and politicians. .
Not everybody notices this but food that you eat can ultimately damage you physiologically.