In the past, lead poisoning was thought to arise from pica (abnormal ingestion) among children living in old, broken-down houses with peeling layers of lead-based paints. In the past two decades, lead intoxication has occurred with decreasing frequency. This may in part be related to less use of lead in paint and leaded gasoline; several studies relate environmental lead contamination to traffic density patterns. In the United States, hundreds of occupations involve potentially significant exposure. It is estimated that more than 800,000 American workers have potentially significant lead exposure. Lead and other metal workers or miners, storage battery workers, and pottery makers are particularly heavily exposed. Workers in auto manufacturing, ship building, paint manufacture and printing industries are also at substantial risk, as are house painters and those who repair old houses. In past centuries lead was added to wine to sweeten it, a deception that was eventually made punishable by death. Recently, adding lead to various herbal and folk medicines has resulted in poisoning. Bullets left in the body can result in lead poisoning, especially if a joint is involved, because synovial fluid appears to be a good solvent for lead. The interval between the bullet getting embedded in the body and clinical evidence of lead poisoning has ranged from 2 days to 40 years.
It is stated in the passage that lead exposure ____.
has been recognized by many employers as a deadly threat to their work force
has been increasing at an alarming rate in many industries in the United States
a very serious concern in various occupations and industries
has led to the introduction of various preventive measures in certain occupations and industries
and its consequences have only recently become a major concern of clinical research
According to the passage, there is scientific evidence to suggest that _____.
a bullet induces lead poisoning as soon as it is lodged in the body
heavy traffic causes lead contamination in the environment
most cases of lead poisoning have resulted from lead-based paints
the risk of lead poisoning is equally likely to occur in all the different metal industries and occupations
the quality of wines can be improved substantially through the use of lead chemicals
It is pointed out in the passage that, a reduction of lead in paint and petrol, _____.
was recommended decades ago but never enforced
will do little to overcome environmental contamination
will bring substantial benefits to house painters and those repairing old houses, but to no one else
has produced as many negative results as positive
may have contributed to the decrease in cases of lead poisoning observed in recent years
We learn from the passage that, despite its adverse effects, lead ____.
is not generally regarded as a dangerous substance
is not nearly as poisonous as several other metals
still remains one of the most valuable and versatile of earth’s metals
is still being used in a great many industries
is only potentially dangerous to children, not to adults