Principles of environmental medicine: an educational case study of lead poisoning in Beethoven
BackgroundUnderstanding the nature and consequences of widespread lead poisoning is critical to protecting people from harm.Educational case studyWe review the historical example of hypothesized lead poisoning in the famous composer Beethoven as an educational vector to illustrate principles of envi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1578949/full |
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| author | Thomas C. Erren Florian Glenewinkel Andreas Pinger Philip Lewis |
| author_facet | Thomas C. Erren Florian Glenewinkel Andreas Pinger Philip Lewis |
| author_sort | Thomas C. Erren |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundUnderstanding the nature and consequences of widespread lead poisoning is critical to protecting people from harm.Educational case studyWe review the historical example of hypothesized lead poisoning in the famous composer Beethoven as an educational vector to illustrate principles of environmental medicine. We discuss what would happen if a hypothetical present-day Mr. B with comparable health complaints, clinical symptoms, or test results were to visit a doctor today. Human biomonitoring – with population reference values and health-based guidance values – is discussed as an important diagnostic tool.ConclusionThis practical outlook on lead poisoning for readers with non-environmental medicine backgrounds contributes to an understanding of principles of environmental medicine. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8cce1700a188457788b0f5308487c6c2 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-8cce1700a188457788b0f5308487c6c22025-08-20T03:28:14ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-07-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.15789491578949Principles of environmental medicine: an educational case study of lead poisoning in BeethovenThomas C. ErrenFlorian GlenewinkelAndreas PingerPhilip LewisBackgroundUnderstanding the nature and consequences of widespread lead poisoning is critical to protecting people from harm.Educational case studyWe review the historical example of hypothesized lead poisoning in the famous composer Beethoven as an educational vector to illustrate principles of environmental medicine. We discuss what would happen if a hypothetical present-day Mr. B with comparable health complaints, clinical symptoms, or test results were to visit a doctor today. Human biomonitoring – with population reference values and health-based guidance values – is discussed as an important diagnostic tool.ConclusionThis practical outlook on lead poisoning for readers with non-environmental medicine backgrounds contributes to an understanding of principles of environmental medicine.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1578949/fullLead poisoningenvironmenthuman biomonitoringpreventioneducation |
| spellingShingle | Thomas C. Erren Florian Glenewinkel Andreas Pinger Philip Lewis Principles of environmental medicine: an educational case study of lead poisoning in Beethoven Frontiers in Public Health Lead poisoning environment human biomonitoring prevention education |
| title | Principles of environmental medicine: an educational case study of lead poisoning in Beethoven |
| title_full | Principles of environmental medicine: an educational case study of lead poisoning in Beethoven |
| title_fullStr | Principles of environmental medicine: an educational case study of lead poisoning in Beethoven |
| title_full_unstemmed | Principles of environmental medicine: an educational case study of lead poisoning in Beethoven |
| title_short | Principles of environmental medicine: an educational case study of lead poisoning in Beethoven |
| title_sort | principles of environmental medicine an educational case study of lead poisoning in beethoven |
| topic | Lead poisoning environment human biomonitoring prevention education |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1578949/full |
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