Is There Still a Danger of Lead Poisoning?

Back in the mid 1970's my younger brother who was about 18 months at the time was hospitalized from lead paint poisoning. After inspection and some deduction, it was found that our windowseals had lead paint powder all over them, and he loved to look out of the window. As he was a baby, he would then put his hands in his mouth and this caused his illness and hospitalization. The long term effects on my brother were impulse control issues that got him kicked out of several schools, expelled for a year, and legal problems later in life. He is in a much better place now as I believe maturity helped, but all of his problems can be directly attributed to the toxicity of lead poisioning and its effects on the brain.

In the years that followed, as homes were inspected, and led paint removed, the danger of lead paint poisoning became less of a hazard for children, or so we thought. According to a USA Today Article,Lead paint poisoning is still a serious hazard for children. Lead paint is easily unearthed when older homes are renovated and results are as toxic in the late 2000's as they were 30 years ago before lead based paints were banned. Painters not certified in lead paint removal are still causing lead dust to end up in the air and the soil around older houses that were originally painted with lead paint.

For these reasons, if you live or work in or around a home that was built in the 1970's or earlier, you need to know how to recognize lead paint poisoning symptoms. In fact, every child is in danger of lead paint poisoning because it is easily transported from place to place in clothing and belongings. If a child who is not exposed to lead paint goes to daycare or school with several children who are exposed, that child can also be exposed to hazardous amounts of lead dust.
The fact that lead poisoning mimics flu symptoms can make it difficult to pinpoint, but if these symptoms don't improve, your child could have lead paint poisoning. More specifcally, a person with lead paint poisoning will exhibit:

An upset stomach which includes diarrhea, vomiting, lack of appetite and you may even notice weight loss. Constipation can also be a symptom of lead paint poisioning.A noticable change in behavior could be a symptom of lead paint poisioning. An affected person could be irritable, legthargic, hyperactive, and have insomnia.

Blue gums is a common symptom of lead paint poisoning, especially in adults. This is accompanied by a metallic taste in the mouth.

A person with lead poisoning can experience aches and pains in the body which includes pain in the chest and headaches.

In the final stages, lead paint can cause seizures which can lead to a coma and death.

To help prevent and the chances of developing lead paint you can take extra measures to keep the home and toys clean if you live in an older home. You can also clean your childrens hands often (with baby wipes) when you are out and about, and teach them to wash their hands often with soap and water. You can also eat foods high in calcium and take calcim supplements that helps to reduce the effects of lead poisoning.