Which statement about occupational exposure to lead is incorrect?

Which statement about occupational exposure to lead is incorrect?

• A. Lead exposure can cause anemia.
• B. Lead exposure can affect the nervous system.
• C. Lead is a well known carcinogen bronchogenic carcinoma.
• D. Lead exposure can cause kidney damage.

Answer: (C)

Lead exposure has multiple well-established health effects across different organs. It interferes with heme synthesis, which reduces production of hemoglobin and leads to anemia. It is a neurotoxin; in workers and especially in exposed populations it can impair brain development and function, causing cognitive and motor effects and peripheral neuropathy. Lead also damages the kidneys, often presenting as proximal tubule injury and reduced kidney function over time. The statement about lead being a well-known cause of bronchogenic carcinoma isn’t supported by the evidence. Lead is not recognized as a proven risk factor for this type of lung cancer, so that claim is incorrect. The other listed effects—anemia, nervous system effects, and kidney damage—are well-documented consequences of occupational lead exposure.

Lead exposure has multiple well-established health effects across different organs. It interferes with heme synthesis, which reduces production of hemoglobin and leads to anemia. It is a neurotoxin; in workers and especially in exposed populations it can impair brain development and function, causing cognitive and motor effects and peripheral neuropathy. Lead also damages the kidneys, often presenting as proximal tubule injury and reduced kidney function over time.

The statement about lead being a well-known cause of bronchogenic carcinoma isn’t supported by the evidence. Lead is not recognized as a proven risk factor for this type of lung cancer, so that claim is incorrect. The other listed effects—anemia, nervous system effects, and kidney damage—are well-documented consequences of occupational lead exposure.