A person is medically considered to have lead poisoning if he or she has a concentration of greater than 10 mg of lead per deciliter of blood. What is this concentration in parts per billion? Assume that the density of blood is the same as that of water.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the given concentration. The problem states that the concentration of lead is greater than 10 mg per deciliter of blood.
2. Step 2: Convert the concentration from mg/dL to mg/L. Since 1 deciliter (dL) is equal to 0.1 liters (L), multiply the concentration by 10 to convert it to mg/L.
3. Step 3: Convert mg/L to parts per million (ppm). Since 1 mg/L is equivalent to 1 ppm, the concentration in mg/L is the same as in ppm.
4. Step 4: Convert ppm to parts per billion (ppb). Since 1 ppm is equal to 1000 ppb, multiply the concentration in ppm by 1000 to get the concentration in ppb.
5. Step 5: Assume the density of blood is the same as water, which is 1 g/mL or 1000 g/L, to ensure the conversion is accurate.

Key Concepts

Concentration Units

Concentration can be expressed in various units, including milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) and parts per billion (ppb). Understanding how to convert between these units is essential for interpreting chemical concentrations in biological contexts. Specifically, 1 mg/dL is equivalent to 10,000 ppb, as there are 1,000 milliliters in a liter and 1 billion micrograms in a gram.

Density of Blood

The density of blood is approximately 1 g/mL, similar to that of water. This property is important when converting concentrations, as it allows for the assumption that 1 dL (deciliter) of blood weighs about 100 grams. This simplification aids in calculating the mass of lead in a given volume of blood, facilitating conversions to other concentration units.

Lead Toxicity

Lead is a heavy metal that can be toxic to humans, affecting various bodily systems, particularly the nervous system. Understanding the implications of lead concentration in blood is crucial for assessing health risks. The threshold of 10 mg/dL indicates a level at which medical intervention may be necessary, highlighting the importance of monitoring and managing exposure to lead.