How does the body eliminate lead?

Prepare for the Pennsylvania Lead Inspector Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question offers hints and explanations. Get ready to pass your exam!

Multiple Choice

How does the body eliminate lead?

Lead is cleared from the body mainly by the kidneys, which filter blood and excrete lead in the urine. A portion is also eliminated via the digestive system: the liver can put lead into bile, which goes into the intestines and leaves the body in feces. This makes the kidneys and the colon (GI tract) the primary elimination pathways. The lungs aren’t a major route of elimination under normal conditions, and the skin does not contribute significantly to lead excretion.

Lead is cleared from the body mainly by the kidneys, which filter blood and excrete lead in the urine. A portion is also eliminated via the digestive system: the liver can put lead into bile, which goes into the intestines and leaves the body in feces. This makes the kidneys and the colon (GI tract) the primary elimination pathways. The lungs aren’t a major route of elimination under normal conditions, and the skin does not contribute significantly to lead excretion.

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