Symptoms to watch for outlined

SOUTHERN District Health Board medical officer of health Susan Jack said yesterday people could experience acute symptoms if consuming high levels of lead.

‘‘In young children and babies, low levels don’t cause any obvious illness.

‘‘But higher levels can cause symptoms like vomiting or stomach pains or difficulty sleeping, and low chronic levels may cause an impact on children’s development,’’ she said.

Adults’ gastrointestinal and nervous systems could be affected, she said, and chronic lead poisoning could cause mood changes, headaches, tingling, numbness, nausea and diarrhoea, or constipation.

The National Poisons Centre yesterday declined to comment.