Taking the Lead on Lead

The metal lead is an element. That means that the particles that make up lead are atoms, which cannot be chemically broken apart. It is soft, heavy, and malleable. If you cut a piece, it looks bluish white, but it quickly combines with oxygen in the air to form lead oxide. It doesn't conduct electricity all that well, but it is highly resistant to corrosion, so you can use it as a container for acids. The symbol for lead is Pb, which stands for plumbum, which is the latin name. It used to be used for pipes to carry water, most famously way back in Rome. This explains the origins of words like plumber, and plumb line.

It is also a potent neurotoxin. But that wasn't always known. In the 1920's lead was added to gasoline to reduce engine knocking. Lead was also found in paint. But as the realization that lead was both damaging to the environment, and toxic to humans, it has been almost completely phased out of use in gasolines and paints in North America.

So why then are both the Public and Catholic school boards for the Thames Valley area (that includes Parkhill) now checking the drinking water at all schools for lead? What are the effects of lead on the human body? Should Londoners be concerned about this problem? Who could be affected the most by this? Do some research into this recent problem that has been highlighted in the media of late, and post your findings on your blog!