82
Lead
Atomic Number82
Atomic Mass207.2 u
CategoryPost-Transition
State at Room TempSolid
Year DiscoveredAncient
About Lead
One of the earliest metals smelted by humans. Dense, soft, and easy to work with. Used in Roman aqueducts, pipes, and pewter. Lead poisoning causes neurological damage, especially in children. Leaded gasoline caused widespread lead exposure until it was phased out starting in the 1970s. Lead-acid batteries are the largest current use. The symbol Pb comes from Latin plumbum, giving us the word plumbing.
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