What is Lead Used For?

**Many products that once used lead are now being made without the element because of the dangers to humans and the environment (see "Lead Poisoning)**

• Lead can be found in beverages, water and food. This concept is exceptionally frightening to think about because the element cannot be seen, tasted, or smelled.
• Used in paints, wrappings for food, tobacco, sewer pipes, roofing, cable coverings, type metal and other alloys, additive in gasoline, ammunition
• 1960’s sparked concern about the health effects of lead, researchers have found that lead can cause mental and physical problems including lack of muscular coordination, convulsions and coma
• Lead's main use is to make batteries; mostly automobile batteries. These lead-acid based batteries are the oldest type of automative batteries that are still being used today. Their low cost and high surge currents of electricity make them one of the top automobile batteries used today.
• Lead is also a main component in the materials to roof or weatherproof buildings.  Lead has a high resistance to corrosion, which makes it strong and ideal for roofing a home or building. 

Grouped Lead Uses

Example of older car battery plates made from lead