Loodvergiftiging in antieke Rome
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Date
2000
Authors
Retief, Francois
Cilliers, Louise
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
English: Lead was known to the ancients from at least the fourth millennium BC, but its utilisation increased markedly during Roman times, when it became a health hazard. Mines and smelting furnaces caused air pollution; lead was extensively used in plumbing; domestic utensils were made of lead and pewter; lead salts were used in cosmetics, medicines and paints. As a microbicide, lead was also utilised in the preservation of food. A grape juice concenrrate (sapa) commonly used as a sweetener was prepared by preference in lead containers. Roman writers commented on the toxicity of lead but classic chronic lead poisoning was first described in the seventh century AD. Skeletal lead content increased significantly in the Roman era, but peaked at a level only 41-47% of that of modern Europeans. The authors suggest that chronic lead poisoning did not contribute significantly to the fall of the Roman
Empire in the West.
Afrikaans: Lood word minstens sedert die vierde millennium vC ontgin, maar in die Grieks-Romeinse era het verhoogde ontginning 'n gesondheidsrisiko begin inhou. Besoedelingsbronne het ingesluit die wydverspreide benutting van lood in watergeleidingstelsels, die gebruik van kombuis- en piouterware, verwerking in medikamente, kosmetika, verf en as anti-mikrobemiddel by voedselbewaring. Uit ertsoonde en myne het lood-lugbesoedeling ontstaan, en 'n wynmoskonsentraat (sapa) as versoeter gebruik, is by voorkeur in loodhouers berei. Romeinse skrywers het die toksisiteit van loocl erken, maar klassieke kroniese loodvergiftiging is eers in die sewende eeu nC beskryf. Loodinhoud van skelette uit die Romeinse era was hoër as in pre-Romeinse tye, maar gemiddeld slegs 41-47% die van moderne Europeers. Kroniese loodvergiftiging was waarskynlik nie 'n beslissende faktor in die val van die Romeinse Ryk in die Weste nie.
Afrikaans: Lood word minstens sedert die vierde millennium vC ontgin, maar in die Grieks-Romeinse era het verhoogde ontginning 'n gesondheidsrisiko begin inhou. Besoedelingsbronne het ingesluit die wydverspreide benutting van lood in watergeleidingstelsels, die gebruik van kombuis- en piouterware, verwerking in medikamente, kosmetika, verf en as anti-mikrobemiddel by voedselbewaring. Uit ertsoonde en myne het lood-lugbesoedeling ontstaan, en 'n wynmoskonsentraat (sapa) as versoeter gebruik, is by voorkeur in loodhouers berei. Romeinse skrywers het die toksisiteit van loocl erken, maar klassieke kroniese loodvergiftiging is eers in die sewende eeu nC beskryf. Loodinhoud van skelette uit die Romeinse era was hoër as in pre-Romeinse tye, maar gemiddeld slegs 41-47% die van moderne Europeers. Kroniese loodvergiftiging was waarskynlik nie 'n beslissende faktor in die val van die Romeinse Ryk in die Weste nie.
Description
Keywords
Health hazard, Poison, Air pollution, Lead poisoning
Citation
Retief, F., & Cilliers, L. (2000). Loodvergiftiging in antieke Rome. Acta Academica, 32(2), 167-184.