(v) Give your personal opinion by reflecting on the importance of the metal and/or its compounds, and its toxicity based on your finding.

  In conclusion, our group feels that despite lead being a highly toxic element, it still holds great importance and significance in our lives. A commonly used element, lead can be found in automobile industries as well as radiation shields, and its compounds are also widely used in the production of appliances such as infrared transmitting glass, ceramics and others.

  However, consumption and exposure to lead and its compounds are detrimental to us and we can get lead poisoning from it, leading to fatalities.  Hence, we feel that it would be good if a non-poisonous alternative can be found to substitute lead without taking away the benefits of lead.

  In the mean time, we feel that we should take precautions when handling lead so that we can minimize the damage exposure to lead can cause. For example, adults should be careful with lead around children as children are more vulnerable to lead poisoning as compared to adults. Industries should also be stricter about handling of lead as incorrect methods of handling lead could lead to lead pollution and cause great harm to the environment and indirectly, to ourselves as well.  After all, prevention is better than cure. 

Done by: 
Emily Chua