lead

Lead, symbol Pb, dense, bluish-gray metallic element that was one of the first known metals. The atomic number of lead is 82; the element is in group 14 (or IVa) of the periodic table. Lead was mentioned in the Old Testament. It was used by the Romans for making water pipes, soldered with an alloy of lead and tin. Few metals have been used in more different ways than lead. Lead ornaments and coins have been in …

…the administration of calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacidic acid, or EDTA, a chelating agent; lead is removed from the body by displacing the calcium in EDTA and forming a stable complex that is excreted in the urine. All lead compounds are poisonous. Even small doses will accumulate in the body and eventually cause colic, kidney disease, paralysis, anemia, and brain damage. If the amount of lead in the body becomes large enough, the poisoning will be fatal.