"lead pollution"

[jctgf]

Seven people died in Picher, once a bustling mining centre of 20,000 that dwindled to about 800 people as families fled lead pollution here, and officials held out hope that they wouldn't find any more bodies.

hi,
what does "lead pollution" mean, please?
thanks

[Snowcake]

'lead' is a chemical element. A heavy soft grey matel, used especially in the past for water pipes or to cover roofs.

I think this is meant in your sentence.

[Neillythere]

Hi jctgf

Yes, Snowcake is correct. Lead is a poisonous heavy metal that can accumulate in the body.

It used to be used for water pipes in the UK, but was, hopefully, phased out many years ago.

Its use for roofing is based on the fact that it doesn't corrode away and is very "malleable", i.e. it comes on sheet form that can be easily molded around roof tiles. It's primarily used nowadays as "flashing", to cover difficult gaps in the roofing system that would otherwise let in the water.

Regards
NT

[jctgf]

hi,
you mean that heavy metal that protects people from radiation?
thanks

[Neillythere]

Yes. That's the one!
Rgds
NT