I.

Introduction

Lead, symbol Pb (Latin plumbum, a lead weight), dense, bluish-gray metallic element that was one of the first known metals. The atomic number of lead is 82; the element is in group 14 (or IVa) of the periodic table (see Periodic Law).

Lead was mentioned in the Old Testament (see Bible). It was used by the Romans for making water pipes, soldered with an alloy of lead and tin.