Question:easy
Which is the most common heavy metal poisoning in the world?
Which is the most common heavy metal poisoning in the world?
Show Hint
Think which toxic metal exposes the largest number of industrial workers worldwide.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
- Lead
- Arsenic
- Mercury
- Cadmium
Show Solution
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: To rank a poisoning as most common we look at population exposure burden rather than intrinsic lethality. Whichever metal touches the largest number of people across industries and homes wins this question.
Step 2: Among the four metals listed, lead reaches the widest population. It is found in storage batteries, pigments and paints, soldered joints, ceramic glazes, old plumbing and historically in petrol additives, so the pool of exposed workers and residents is enormous.
Step 3: Clinically, chronic lead absorption presents with microcytic anaemia and basophilic stippling, gum changes, colicky abdominal pain, and a motor neuropathy that classically gives wrist drop. In young children even low levels impair neurodevelopment.
Step 4: Arsenic, mercury and cadmium are each linked to landmark toxic syndromes but remain comparatively localized problems. None displaces lead at the top of the global frequency list, so the metal with the greatest worldwide poisoning load is lead.
\[\boxed{\text{Lead}}\]
Step 2: Among the four metals listed, lead reaches the widest population. It is found in storage batteries, pigments and paints, soldered joints, ceramic glazes, old plumbing and historically in petrol additives, so the pool of exposed workers and residents is enormous.
Step 3: Clinically, chronic lead absorption presents with microcytic anaemia and basophilic stippling, gum changes, colicky abdominal pain, and a motor neuropathy that classically gives wrist drop. In young children even low levels impair neurodevelopment.
Step 4: Arsenic, mercury and cadmium are each linked to landmark toxic syndromes but remain comparatively localized problems. None displaces lead at the top of the global frequency list, so the metal with the greatest worldwide poisoning load is lead.
\[\boxed{\text{Lead}}\]
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