Lead Poisoning: A
Health Threat That Could Be Hurting You & Your Loved Ones
While adults can
generally tolerate the low levels of lead that may be present in
our homes, top officials in our federal government are now
calling lead poisoning the nation's primary environmental threat
to children. According to the EPA, one out of nine children
under age six has enough lead in his blood for it to be a health
problem.
Lead is a naturally occurring metallic
element whose toxicity is well established. It is a
cumulative poison, so while one small exposure may not seem
harmful, repeated exposures can build up over time. Because
lead is an element, it never decomposes into another
substance that might be more easily tolerated, and it never
leaves your body. Damage from consistent lead exposure is
usually irreversible.
Early symptoms of lead poisoning include abdominal pains,
loss of appetite, constipation, muscle pains and weakness,
irritability, a metallic taste in the mouth, excessive
thirst, nausea and vomiting, headache, insomnia, depression,
and lethargy. Repeated low-level exposure has been found to
produce anemia, stomach ailments, and permanent
neuropsychological defects and behavior disorders in
children, including noticeable learning difficulties, poor
scores on IQ and development tests, and short attention
spans. In very high doses, lead can cause brain damage,
nervous system disorders, and death, although such heavy
poisoning is unlikely from exposure around your home. There
is no safe level for lead.
The household lead exposure people generally think of first
is caused by lead-based paints. Manufacturers removed much
of the lead from paint in the 1950s, and the federal
government banned lead in paint altogether in 1978. While
this means we don't have to worry about lead in a new can of
paint, there is still great concern about the lead that is
already on the walls in millions of homes across America.
75% of all private housing built before 1980 has some lead
paint. Since lead was a standard ingredient in paint at that
time, lead-painted walls may be found in houses in all older
neighborhoods, whether well-to-do or poor.
Many children get lead poisoning not from eating paint
chips, but rather from breathing fine paint dust stirred up
by the opening and closing of windows with lead-painted
window frames, or from the removal or disturbance of old
paint during renovations. It can be found on the exterior
and interior of houses - on walls, window and door trims,
railings, baseboards, and radiators.
It takes very little lead to cause lead poisoning. The
Centers for Disease Control has set ten micrograms per
deciliter as the level above which some sort of action
should be taken. A child can reach lead/blood levels of
three times that amount by ingesting lead equivalent to one
granule of sugar a day, which could easily happen if a child
touches a windowsill and sucks his thumb on a regular basis.
Tap water is another source of lead. Lead in water causes 10
to 20% of overall childhood lead exposure. If your water
comes from a well, travels through old lead-soldered pipes,
or is known to be very corrosive, you may have cause for
concern.
The glaze on ceramic and pottery dishware can also cause
significant lead exposure. Lead is used to create bright
colors and mask deficiencies in the pottery and has been
known to be a problem, especially in imported pieces. The
federal government prohibits the sale of dinnerware that
releases lead in amounts greater than 2,000 parts per
billion, which prevents direct cases of lead poisoning.
However, in 1986, the state of California passed legislation
requiring written warnings on any dishware that releases
lead in amounts greater than 224 ppb, based on the potential
longterm health risk to young children and developing
fetuses.
Pregnant women should be especially careful during
pregnancy, as developing fetuses are the most vulnerable.
Most important, do not start to strip paint or wallpaper to
prepare the new nursery now if there is any chance that old
layers of lead paint may lurk below.
Children are most likely to get lead poisoning between the
ages of six months and six years, when lead dust from
carpeting, toys, or the floor can most easily get in their
mouths and lungs. Your doctor can order a blood-lead test
for your child if you suspect your child has been
contaminated.
If you live in a house or apartment built before 1980,
inspect your building carefully for signs of paint chips or
dust. Look at windowsills, baseboards, and especially door
frames, where friction can grind up paint layers. To remove
dust, damp-mop or wipe with a solution of trisodium
phosphate (TSP), which can be purchased at paint or hardware
stores. As with asbestos, it is better to leave lead paint
in place if intact rather than create a hazard by disturbing
it. But if you find you have a major problem that requires
removal, hire a qualified contractor. Complete removal might
cost thousands of dollars, but you can significantly reduce
the hazard by replacing doors, window frames, or
contaminated carpeting, or by putting up wallpaper or
paneling.
To remove lead from drinking water, you will need a reverse
osmosis system or distiller. Inexpensive carbon filters will
not remove lead . Before you buy ceramic or pottery
dinnerware, ask about the lead used in glazes. Lead releases
can vary from style to style from a single manufacturer, so
be specific. When in doubt, don't buy it.
|
- Fight For Your Health
Every person in America who
values their life and their health needs to read this book - read
more
-
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
Recent studies have shown that there is
currently a worldwide autism epidemic. In fact, more than 1.5
million people are affected in the United States alone, with one in
every 250 children diagnosed.
It's true that early detection and early treatment are the two key
factors in improving prognosis -- but too often parents get bogged
down in denial or confusion about this still mysterious disorder,
and are unable or unwilling to take the necessary steps - read more.
-
- Prevent Yeast Infections
"17 Things You Need to Know to
Prevent Yeast Infections" was written to clear up some of the
misinformation, mythology and confusion about infections caused by
Candida albicans yeast.
It should be easy to find solid
information about such a common condition, all in one place. But
instead, the most important information she discovered would be very
difficult for most people to find.
The author was happy to find that some natural remedies really do
cure mild yeast infections, but she was concerned because other
commonly recommended home remedies can actually be dangerous - read
more.
-
- Mastering Leptin
Following the 5 Rules in the
book Mastering Leptin can significantly make healthy weight loss
easier. Why these rules work and how leptin plays an essential role
in your health is explained in this break through health book - read
more
-
- Detoxing For Better Health
The Verseo Detox
Foot Patch is an all natural patch that amazingly extracts heavy
metals and other forms of toxins from your system while you sleep.
It took Japanese scientists over 24 years to develop this
technology.
Verseo Detox Foot Patch
Using the highest
mix of all-natural pure ingredients, the foot patch provides powerful detoxifying ingredients,
which includes
tourmaline, the negative ion & far infrared producing mineral, to
provide unparalleled and effective cleansing .
Click To Learn More About The Verseo Detox Foot Patch
-
- Stop Acid Reflux
Are You Suffering
With Acid Reflux and Heartburn?
Do you want to join the other people who have discovered simple
methods for banishing painful, debilitating Acid Reflux once and for
all - Using only natural strategies?
A top selling writer, and sufferer of Acid Reflux/ Heartburn has
just released new information that you will find indispensible.
Here is some of the information that is covered:
|
|