What is lead?
Lead is a heavy metal used in many materials and products. It is a neurotoxin. A neurotoxin is a
poisonous substance that damages or
destroys nerve tissue.
Return to top
What are the sources of
lead?
Lead is found in paint
that was used prior to 1978. In homes built before 1978 lead
paint can be present. The only way to know is to test the paint
with a lead test kit that can be purchased online or at a hardware
store. Lead is also found in many other items such as toys,
jewelry, and home remedies. For
a comprehensive list of items where lead can be found please click
here.
Return to top
How does lead get into a body?
Lead can be ingested or inhaled. For example, a child may
put a toy that has been painted with lead paint in his or her
mouth and ingest lead from that toy. Food can be
prepared or served on a plate that is covered in lead glaze and the
lead from the plate can contaminate the food. Lead dust can be
created during home renovations where lead paint is being removed from
walls. Any surface that causes friction, such as opening
and closing an older wooden painted window, or an old door that rubs
on a doorway causes invisible lead dust, which can be inhaled.
If you are vacuuming without a HEPA filter, lead dust is small enough
to 'escape' the bag and float in the air. Children may also be
attracted to the sweet taste of lead and eat paint chips.
Return to top
Should there be lead in my body?
No. Lead should not be in a human body.
Return to top
How is lead poisoning diagnosed?
A blood test is the only reliable way to know if there is lead in a
body. A finger stick can be done in a doctor's office to
determine if there is lead present in a person's bloodstream, however,
a venous blood draw (where blood is taken directly from the vein) is
the preferred method to test for lead.
Return to top
What
is a BLL (Blood Lead Level)? What do the numbers mean?
A blood test can determine if there is lead in a person's
bloodstream. The test result, or Blood Lead Level (BLL), is
given as a number and is measured in micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL).
Click
here to view a Blood Lead Level chart.
Return to top
What is the prognosis?
Return to top
What is the treatment for lead poisoning?
Return to top
What are the effects of having lead in my body? Is there a cure
for Lead Poisoning?
When absorbed into the
body, lead is highly toxic to many organs and systems and seriously
hinders the body's neurological development. Lead is most harmful to
children under age six because it is easily absorbed into their
growing bodies and interferes with the developing brain and other
organs and systems. Pregnant women and women of child-bearing age are
also at increased risk, because lead ingested by the mother can cross
the placenta and affect the unborn fetus.
Lead poisoning causes
irreversible health effects and there is no cure for lead poisoning.
At very low levels of exposure in children, lead causes reduced IQ and
attention span, hyperactivity, impaired growth, reading and learning
disabilities, hearing loss, insomnia, anemia, and a range of other health,
intellectual, and behavioral problems. At low levels, lead poisoning
may not present identifiable symptoms, and a blood test is the only way to
know if a child is poisoned. At very high levels of exposure lead
poisoning can cause mental retardation, coma, convulsions, and even
death.
Although higher levels of
Lead may be treated with supplements of Chelation, there is no cure
for Lead Poisoning.
Return to top
What
is Chelation?
Return to top
What is the difference between lead toxicity and
lead poisoning?
Return to top
What are the myths about lead?
Click here to read interesting information about the myths and history
of Lead.
Return to top
What are the signs/symptoms of lead poisoning?
Return to top
Where can I find help/more information?
Return to top
What can I do for my child once he or she is diagnosed?
Return to top
Can lead poisoning be prevented?
Yes. Lead Poisoning is a wholly preventable disease.
Being aware of your environment and knowing where lead can hide can
help keep you and your children safe. For more information on
the prevention of Lead Poisoning please see...
Do you have other questions you'd like
answered? Do you have your own story to share? E-mail us
with your questions or comments and we will reply to you and update our site
accordingly. Thank you!
