FPGEE for National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) Practice Exam 2026 - Free NABP Practice Questions and Study Guide

The half-life of lead in the human body is approximately 2 months. This duration refers to the time required for the concentration of lead in the body to decrease by half following initial exposure. Lead is primarily stored in bone and teeth after it has been absorbed into the bloodstream, and while its half-life may vary based on individual factors, such as age and overall health, the average duration recognized in medical literature aligns closely with about 60 days or 2 months.

This understanding is important for assessing lead exposure and its potential health impacts. Chronic lead exposure can lead to serious health issues, so knowing the half-life helps healthcare professionals in monitoring and managing patients who may have been exposed to lead.

Other choices, such as 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year, do not align with the established data on lead's retention and elimination from the body. For instance, while lead can remain in the body for extended periods, suggesting a shorter half-life, the predominant half-life recognized is about 2 months, which corresponds to the kinetics of lead metabolism and excretion.