Lead Poisoning

Where we live is magical. Neighbors know and love and care for each other. The folks we meet at the post office have served us at the grocery store or have upgraded our electricity or have helped on a blood drive. The rolling hills, the Norman Rockwell setting, makes me feel like I am home, and it feels good. In Emmitsburg’s original village there are homes that date back to the 1750's and maybe earlier. It is cool be rooted in history.

BUT, OLD HOMES HAVE LEAD PAINT. Old homes had walls, windows, even old blinds that had lead paint. Any home built before 1978 may be a source of lead poisoning. Lead paint had been in common use until then. Also the pipes were often sealed with lead solder. Lead kills and lead causes brain damage. Lead can be a source of brittle bones, attention deficit disorder, hearing loss. Lead injury does not have many warning signs. Sometimes there is anemia or belly pain to provide a little warning. Living in history can be dangerous. The Health Departments of Frederick county and the state of Maryland show that from Emmitsburg to Thurmont to Frederick we are in the critical zone for lead exposure.

Lead gets into our bodies by inhaling and by ingesting lead. Studies show that the deep inhaling that comes of tobacco smoking (cigarettes and cigars) can cause more lead than usual to enter the body. Eating food at an area rich in lead can cause more lead dust to go into the body as the lead dust gets on the food easily. Little children crawling or playing in a leaded area will inhale, or eat the lead as toys are often in touch with the lead and then the toys are sucked on or chewed by the child. Lead in the water can be cooked with or mixed with formula powder to allow the lead to get into the body. Although the lead in the water is not out of range, if this lead is added to other sources of lead, toxic level of lead can be in the body. Sources of lead can be old or imported ceramic dishes that have a lead glaze, older furniture--even cribs and painted toys--dirt, ashes, charcoal, plaster, scrap metal dust, spray pain for boats or large objects, stained glass works, bullets, fishing sinkers, old pipes. Other sources of lead include pewter and brass pitchers, possibly kept as an antique or pressed into use now and then for a water or wine pitcher. Lead could be on our clothes or the clothes of our loved ones as they go out and return from their construction jobs or decide to repair a lead contaminated item.

How do we protect ourselves and our children. First, remove all lead contaminated objects. Hand washing should be frequent and thorough. If you rent or own a place you suspect is contaminated, request a lead inspection. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) can be called for guidance: 1-800-776-2706 or 1-410-631-4199. For a home built before 1960, we are advised to call the lead hotline before remodeling is begun. If your work may expose you to lead, ask your employer about training for lead removal and become certified through an accredited lead abatement training program. Work clothes should be kept at work, laundered at work. Clothes and shoes are to be vacuumed during the work day prior to taking food or tobacco.

Respirators are to be provided by the employer and USED by the employees.

A proper diet can protect us from lead. Foods rich in Vitamin C, Calcium and Iron can help block the absorption of lead. Foods that are rich in fats as butter, margarine, potato chips and corn chips, fried foods of any kind allow higher levels of lead.

Only six (6) percent of the children eligible for lead testing are ever tested. Ask your physician about getting your child tested for anemia and lead poisoning. A lead level of 10-14 indicates some exposure to lead. A lead level of 15-19 means a higher level and greater risk, but NOT lead poisoned. A lead level of 20-44 means LEAD POISONING is present and interventions are VERY important. A lead level greater than 45 is serious. A lead level of 70 is a medical emergency and treatment called chelation therapy must be done right away.

Hope is just a step away. The body knows lead does not belong in it in such high doses. In forty to 60 days, after lead exposure has been stopped, the lead will be out of most body tissues. For bones, however, 120 days are needed to replace the lead in bones with healthy calcium. See the children running LEAD FREE. Call 1-800-776-2706 for more information. For educational materials call 1-410-631-3840. The Child Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Number is 1-410-631-3844. Coalition to End Lead Poisoning number is 1-800-370-5323. The Kennedy Krieger Institute has a lead poisoning prevention clinic; that number is 1-410-502-9000.

We CAN get the lead out