-Caveat Lector-
Western and Eastern Treasures Magazine
Peoples Publishing
February 1996
Lead Alert
Bill Gallagher
Photos by Joe Gallagher
(Not included)
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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