Lead: Is It Really That Bad?

There’s a substantial amount of hype around lead and other heavy metals being found in paint, turf, toys, and even dietary supplements. Why does this matter and is it really as important as regulations and media coverage for incidents like what happened in Flint, Michigan would lead us to believe? Short Answer? Yes. 100% yes. Lead is a serious toxin that causes a wide spectrum of health issues, the most notable affecting the young. Adults are by no means protected from the impacts of lead poisoning but children, and even developing fetuses, can be stunted intellectually and physically for the rest of their lives from lead poisoning. Even more significant, the damage done is thought to be permanent. So, yes. Lead poisoning is truly the horror many have made it out to be. 

So, where is one most likely to encounter lead? Unless you have a job where you are handling lead solder or lead bullets regularly, your most common encounters are going to be in older home construction elements such as paint or pipes. Though lead has been phased out in the construction of new homes since about 1978, the renovation or just habitation of older homes makes lead a pretty common consideration to this day. Even just a small amount of lead dust in the air from peeling paint can cause serious issues as lead builds up in the body. Not only that but lead is stored in the bones of the body and can re-enter the bloodstream years later. In pregnancy, the earlier exposure of the mother often leads to the poisoning of the child before it is even born. Small children absorb lead more easily and if they are lacking in certain nutrients, specifically iron and calcium, they will absorb even more. Issues in brain development and damage to the nervous system are just a few of the wide range of negative consequences children may suffer. Though there is a treatment used to reduce lead in the body, the treatment is not without its own risks, especially for children and has historically caused a number of deaths on its own. The best way to combat lead poisoning is to prevent exposure in the first place. 

If you have to work with lead because you are renovating an old home or something similar, the EPA has put out a guide booklet to assist you in limiting your exposure. Additionally, there are often trained service professionals available to take this step for you. If you are exposed, you might give the National Poison Hotline a call at: 1-800-222-1222. For non-emergency situations where one would definitely call 911, they can help you respond responsibly and effectively to a less urgent incident of lead poisoning. 

For some additional reading check out these three articles: 1, 2, 3