Chapter 1, Problem 8A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation :

This is to be explained how D and S analyzed the cause of their illness and finally reached the conclusion that lead poisoning is responsible.

Concept Introduction :

Lead is a toxic metal that can cause many serious health problems like pain in the back and arms along with weight loss when it is consumed with any food or drinks.

Answer to Problem 8A

From the literature, D and S have found that lead poisoning has similar symptoms of porphyria.

Suspecting that the cause of the illness is lead poisoning, blood testing was done which showed that a high amount of lead was there in their blood samples.

Explanation of Solution

Firstly, foods were analyzed where there was no lead. No, people were sick from the shop where they have bought food.

When they drank fruit juice from the pottery dish, the symptoms increased. Following this, they got the dish tested and found lead.

Thus, they concluded that lead poisoning took place due to drinking from those pottery dishes.