Protect your family against lead poisoning

The World Health Organization estimates that there are 120 million people worldwide with unsafe blood levels of lead. In fact, a 2007 study shows that 34 percent of Chinese kids have blood levels of lead exceeding the WHO limit of 10 microgram per deciliter (ug/dL).

Lead poisoning is a hidden danger every parent should be aware of. Studies have shown that lead exposure in children can lead to lower intelligence, learning difficulties, fatigue, irritability, and other symptoms. Lead exposure also harms unborn babies.

The good news is that lead takes years to accumulate in the body. But the bad news is that lead exposure often continues and goes undetected because they can be found in everyday household items. Lead can be found in some paint, gasoline, soil, canned goods, and toys. Even some cosmetics and painted plates, cups, and mugs can have high amounts of lead.

Young children are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning because they sometimes lick their toys, eat paint dust, and play in the soil. Children also absorb lead more easily than adults.

Sources of lead poisoning

You can be exposed to lead via:

• Paint. In America, lead-based paints have been banned since 1978. However, many countries still manufacture lead-based paint that exceed the US standard of 600 parts per million. Cases of lead poisoning are often due to kids eating the chipped-off paint from the walls. Because of this, advocates have been calling for a global ban on lead-based paint.

• Water from lead pipes. For many decades, lead has been used to make water pipes. This practice, however, led to many illnesses including infant deaths. Tap water that passed through these pipes may contain lead particles, which cannot be tasted or smelled. If you suspect your water pipes to be made of lead, then you should not drink the water. The only permanent solution is to replace the piping system in your home.

•  Soil and garbage. From the previous use of leaded gasoline and lead-based paint, these lead particles can contaminate the soil for many years. Some countries still use lead-containing gasoline and paint. In addition, lead batteries are oftentimes disposed as regular garbage where they may leak into the soil.

• Food and food containers. Some glazes (a coating material) used in ceramics, pottery, and porcelain dishes may have lead materials that can be absorbed by food. Some coffee mugs and dishes painted with colorful decorations have also been found to contain high levels of lead. Although banned in America, some imported canned goods may still have metal casings that contain lead.

• Toys. Some imported toys have been discovered to contain lead. Kids should be advised not to lick these toys and to wash their hands after playing.

• Cosmetics. Excessive amounts of lead have been detected in some popular lipsticks and eye shadows made in Asia.

• Candles. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that candles with a lead wick may cause lead poisoning. Some candles contain a lead metal core that gives rigidity to the wick and slows the rate of burning. When these candles are lit, they release large amounts of lead in the air, which can be inhaled by the people around.

• Traditional medicines. There are documented cases of lead poisoning with the use of some traditional remedies in Asia.


Symptoms and diagnosis

Lead poisoning can be hard to diagnose because there are no specific symptoms. Lead exposure can affect the brain (especially of growing kids), the nervous system, and the kidneys.

Children’s symptoms may range from learning difficulties to irritability, weight loss, fatigue, abdominal pain, and constipation. Adults may develop high blood pressure, headache, irritability, abdominal pain, low sperm count, numbness, and weakness. Take note, however, that some patients with high blood levels of lead may have no complaints whatsoever.

Diagnosis is made through a simple blood test available in certain tertiary hospitals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends testing children below six years old, especially children who live in older homes, which may have used lead paint or lead pipes.

Treatment and prevention

Reduce or remove all exposures to lead. In some cases, stopping the exposure is enough to cure the patient.

For patients with more serious lead poisoning, the doctor may opt for chelation treatment. In this process, the doctor will inject a chemical (EDTA) into the bloodstream, which will bind with the lead and remove it from the body.

Here are ways you can prevent lead poisoning:

1. Wash your hands. Teach children to wash their hands after playing outdoors and before eating. Children should refrain from playing in the soil.

2. If your house uses old water pipes, do not drink the tap water. Have the water run for a minute or two first before using. The initial water may have more sediments and contaminants in it.

3. If possible, drink only purified or bottled water. Boiling your drinking water does not remove its lead content.

4. If your home used lead paint, you can coat over it with a lead-free paint. Be careful when doing this because lead particles may get detached from the walls. Protect yourself by wearing a mask and gloves, and take a bath afterwards.

5. Clean your home meticulously. Sweep the floors regularly to remove dust and dirt that may have come from fallen paint chips and soil particles from shoes. Use a wet cloth to wipe furniture, cabinets, seats, and windows.

6. Be careful when buying plastic toys. Choose wooden toys instead.

7. Keep abreast of the news. Be aware of local reports about dishes, mugs, cosmetics, and candles that may be tainted with lead.

8. Prepare a healthy diet for you and your children. Children especially need to get adequate amounts of calcium and iron, which can help reduce the body’s absorption of lead. Follow these tips to keep your home lead-free and safe.