Most of us probably learned more about lead in chemistry class than we had ever known about it before. I, for instance, remembered its symbol on the periodic table, Pb, in an unusually weird way. I associated it with peanut butter. Don't ask me why or how, but it worked. The atomic number for lead is 82, which represents the number of protons that the stable isotopes in lead have. What else don't you know about lead? Read on to find out!
1. Lead is not credited to anyone in terms of discovery because it has been in use for ages. In fact, in Catalhoyuk (today's Turkey), lead beads that are estimated to be as old as 6400 BCE were found. Romans produced a great deal of lead as well, though it was usually produced as a silver smelting by-product.
2. When it is first cut, lead appears silvery to bluish-white in color; however, it tarnishes fairly quickly after exposing it to air. This tarnishing leaves it looking like more of a metallic gray color. When melted, it looks like a shiny, silvery-chrome colored substance.
3. Lead is a very soft and ductile metal that is highly malleable and quite dense. Compared to other metals, it is also a poor conductor of electricity, although it is remarkably corrosion resistant. In fact, lead is often used for the containment of corrosive liquids.
4. The Roman economy was the biggest preindustrial lead producer. The estimated output per year was 80,000 tons. The Romans mined in Asia Minor, the Balkans, Central Europe, Hispania and Roman Britain. This mining was responsible for nearly 40% of the world's production.
5. Lead in its metallic form does occur freely in nature, but these occurrences are rare. It is most frequently located in ores with copper, silver and zinc. Galena is the main lead containing mineral, with an average of 86.6% lead.
6. Lead is currently produced in Australia, Canada, China, Mexico, Morocco, North Korea, Peru, South America, Sweden and the United States. In 2008, the United States, China and Australi were responsible for over half of the primary production.
7. Estimations suggest that the lead supply could possibly be depleted within the next 40 years. However, some environmentalists believe it could run out much sooner - some believe in less than half of this estimated depletion time. Yet, with many taking an interest in being green and recycling, these estimates could change.
8. Lead is considered poisonous due to its ability to cause severe damage to the nervous system, as well as cause brain and blood disorders. Young children are especially vulnerable. The most typical form of lead poisoning is caused by lead contamination in water or food, but lead dust, lead paint or contaminated soil can also cause poisoning.
9. Lead exposure occurs through dermal contact, ingestion and inhalation. The latter two are the most frequently encountered methods of exposure.
10. In early August of 2010, the EPA was presented with a petition to ban lead-based fishing tackle and ammunition, as it poisons wildlife. The petition was denied on August 27, 2010
Most of us probably learned more about lead in chemistry class than we had ever known about it before. I, for instance, remembered its symbol on the periodic table, Pb, in an unusually weird way. I associated it with peanut butter. Don't ask me why or how, but it worked. The atomic number for lead is 82, which represents the number of protons that the stable isotopes in lead have. What else don't you know about lead? Read on to find out!
1. Lead is not credited to anyone in terms of discovery because it has been in use for ages. In fact, in Catalhoyuk (today's Turkey), lead beads that are estimated to be as old as 6400 BCE were found. Romans produced a great deal of lead as well, though it was usually produced as a silver smelting by-product.
2. When it is first cut, lead appears silvery to bluish-white in color; however, it tarnishes fairly quickly after exposing it to air. This tarnishing leaves it looking like more of a metallic gray color. When melted, it looks like a shiny, silvery-chrome colored substance.
3. Lead is a very soft and ductile metal that is highly malleable and quite dense. Compared to other metals, it is also a poor conductor of electricity, although it is remarkably corrosion resistant. In fact, lead is often used for the containment of corrosive liquids.
4. The Roman economy was the biggest preindustrial lead producer. The estimated output per year was 80,000 tons. The Romans mined in Asia Minor, the Balkans, Central Europe, Hispania and Roman Britain. This mining was responsible for nearly 40% of the world's production.
5. Lead in its metallic form does occur freely in nature, but these occurrences are rare. It is most frequently located in ores with copper, silver and zinc. Galena is the main lead containing mineral, with an average of 86.6% lead.
6. Lead is currently produced in Australia, Canada, China, Mexico, Morocco, North Korea, Peru, South America, Sweden and the United States. In 2008, the United States, China and Australi were responsible for over half of the primary production.
7. Estimations suggest that the lead supply could possibly be depleted within the next 40 years. However, some environmentalists believe it could run out much sooner - some believe in less than half of this estimated depletion time. Yet, with many taking an interest in being green and recycling, these estimates could change.
8. Lead is considered poisonous due to its ability to cause severe damage to the nervous system, as well as cause brain and blood disorders. Young children are especially vulnerable. The most typical form of lead poisoning is caused by lead contamination in water or food, but lead dust, lead paint or contaminated soil can also cause poisoning.
9. Lead exposure occurs through dermal contact, ingestion and inhalation. The latter two are the most frequently encountered methods of exposure.
10. In early August of 2010, the EPA was presented with a petition to ban lead-based fishing tackle and ammunition, as it poisons wildlife. The petition was denied on August 27, 2010
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