LEAD
Action News vol 5 no 3, 1997 ISSN 1324-6011 Incorporating Lead Aware Times ( ISSN 1440-4966) and Lead Advisory Service News ( ISSN 1440-0561) The journal of The LEAD (Lead Education and Abatement Design) Group Inc. |
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How would you know if you or your child is lead poisoned? Though very small amounts of lead are known to cause serious long term health effects, symptoms only become obvious at higher levels. So take a minute to learn more about LEAD POISONING which is now recognised internationally, as one of the GREATEST ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RISKS FACING CHILDREN TODAY.
WHO IS MOST AT RISK FROM LEAD? Anyone can be poisoned by lead but those most at risk are: Children under the age of four -because:
(Source FETT et al MJA Vol. 157, Oct 5 1992) Pregnant women - may be at greater risk due to changes in their bodies during pregnancy. Also, there is no barrier to lead in the placenta and therefore no protection for the unborn child. Women of child bearing age: The human body mistakes lead for calcium and stores lead in our bones. During pregnancy a womans hormones may mobilise calcium for the growth of the baby and also mobilise any lead that she has laid down on her bones anytime throughout her life. Lead has a half life in the bone for almost 30 years. Men: Very small amounts of lead can affect libido, fertility and blood pressure. This hypertension (high blood pressure) increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH LEAD? Levels of lead which are barely measurable have been shown to affect body systems. The 1993 Australian National Goal is to have all Australians below 10m g/dL. That is equivalent to one teaspoon of lead in a large backyard swimming pool! One chip of old lead paint the size of your fingernail, eaten by a child, is enough to raise their lead levels dangerously high. In other words not much lead is too much lead for good health. HOW ARE WE AFFECTED BY LEAD? You or your children could have elevated blood lead levels and not know it because even though serious, long term damage is occurring, patients usually do not show symptoms until levels are very high. Low levels of lead can cause brain damage, learning difficulties, behavioural problems, kidney damage, hearing impairment, growth retardation and many other affects, but these are often difficult to recognise until the damage is done. High levels of lead can cause miscarriage, birth defects, coma and death. Symptoms, when they do occur are often subtle and are attributed to other causes. In children these can be irritability, tiredness or decreased play activity, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation and headaches. Adults can also suffer loss of libido, infertility and elevated blood pressure. WHERE DOES THE LEAD COME FROM? Just about everywhere, but the main sources are : 1) Old paint from buildings built prior to 1970. There are at least 3.5 million homes in Australia with lead based paint and it is not possible to identify it by its "look". Lead paint is often sweet tasting and therefore children will pick at it and eat it and animals will lick it Also, when this paint is sanded, scraped or is peeling it creates a dangerous lead dust that is easily inhaled or swallowed. This dust also enters soil where it is easily accessed by children or animals. LEAD does not BREAK DOWN. It remains toxic and unless dealt with safely it will not "go away." 2) Exhaust emissions from
petrol driven vehicles are another source of lead 3) Dust in the roof void (attic), wall cavity or under floor area is often contaminated with lead. So if a ceiling or wall is to come down, or a skylight or attic ladder is to be installed, care must be taken to prevent contamination of living spaces. 4) Workers such as furniture
restorers, leadlighters, car battery and radiator workers and painters can bring home lead
dust on their clothes and their children are poisoned as a result. Hobbyists such as
fishermen making sinkers, 5) The first flush of
water in the morning or during the night should not be given to babies 6) Some food cans sold in
Australia STILL have lead solder. 7) If you are a gardener some above ground crops such as tomatoes and beans are better grown in "leaded soils" than root vegetables e.g potatoes and carrots. Also all produce, especially root vegetables, should be carefully washed or peeled before eating to minimise any risk. Vacuum cleaner dust should not be put in the compost bin as this dust can contain high levels of lead. 8) Pets often show symptoms of lead poisoning before people. If your pet is unwell and a vet diagnoses lead poisoning, you should see that ALL members of the household have a blood test for lead. Pets should be kept outside and definitely off childrens beds because they collect lead dust on their coats. Regular washing of the pet and hand washing for the family members is important. ARE YOU AT RISK?
WHAT CAN WE DO TO PROTECT OURSELVES FROM LEAD? The Global Lead Advice & Support Service will give free telephone service, free written material and free community workshops and meetings to parents. We will provide advice and support about any lead related questions or concern that you may have. Advice such as: where to have samples of paint, dust or soil analysed, how to take simple steps with diet to reduce the absorption rate of lead, how to undertake a safe renovation or how to ensure your tradesperson uses safe methods. If you feel that you or your child may have been exposed to lead the only reliable way of knowing is to have a blood lead test conducted. Ask your GP. Please contact
The Global Lead Advice & Support Service if you would like more information. Freecall
1800 626 086 Phone: +61 2 9716 0132 This project was assisted by the NSW Government |
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Updated 14 March 2015
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