Run by

The LEAD Group Inc
The Lead Education and Abatement Design Group
Working to eliminate lead poisoning globally and to protect the
environment from lead in all its uses: past, current and new uses
ABN 25 819 463 114
Australians! Take action
today. Is lead harming
you & your kids? Buy low
cost, NATA accredited
laboratory lead test kits
here. Sample your dust,
soil, water, paint, toys,
jewellery, ceramics
what's new 

Water Lead test Kits

Proceeds from our DIY Home Lead Assessment kit sales go towards the
Keeping Australian Lead Out of Leaded Petrol Initiative.

Search this site
 
Search tips 
What's New

About Us
bell system lead poisoning
Contact Us
Council Lead Project
egroups
Library-Fact Sheets
Home Page
Media Releases
Newsletters
Q&A
Referral Lists
Reports
Site Map
Slide Shows-Films
Subscribe-Donate
Useful Links

Visitor Number

  QUESTION: Could over 50 yrs of having a bb pellet lodged in the kidney cause lack of energy today? 10 Aug 2006, South Australia

My sister has a bb pellet lodged on one of her kidneys. It has been there for many years. Lately, she has had no energy and has had several tests that come back as normal. Is there a possibility that this pellet could be causing her problems? It was probably in the late 50s or early 60s when this happened. Please email me with your thoughts or suggestions.
ANSWER: 10 Aug 2006

Dear Elizabeth,

Do you know for certain whether the bb pellet was made of lead or are you assuming that it was? Assuming that your sister has had a leaded bb pellet lodged in her kidney for over 50 years, the best test to perform to find out whether that could be contributing to her low energy level would be a blood lead test. Not knowing which tests she has had that came back normal, I assume you did not mean that she has already had a blood lead test, but yet this test is the only way to know whether lead from the body (including from the bb pellet and from bone stores) or lead from the outside world is getting into her blood stream today. Lead poisoning is certainly associated with fatigue so a blood lead test will therefore tell you whether your sister's low energy levels are being caused by lead or whether you might need to search for some other cause. I will send you an invitation to join our Lodged Lead Shot or Bullet Support Group (see egroups) should you wish to discuss this issue with others who have had similar experiences. It is always valuable to utilise the experience and knowledge of others. I'm afraid I have no experience or knowledge as to whether a bb pellet lodged in the kidney may be also causing some medical problem (unrelated to toxicity) in relation to its sheer physical presence or size etc.

Kind regards
Yours Sincerely
Elizabeth O'Brien

See: What are the lead poisoning risks of a lead pellet, bullet or shot lodged in the body?

About Us | bell system lead poisoning | Contact Us | Council LEAD Project | egroups | Library - Fact Sheets | Home Page | Media Releases
Newsletters
| Q & A | Referral lists | Reports | Site Map | Slide Shows - Films | Subscription | Useful Links |  Search this Site
Privacy Policy | Disclaimer
Last Updated 11 September 2012
Copyright © The LEAD Group Inc. 1991- 2012
PO Box 161 Summer Hill NSW 2130 Australia
Phone: +61 2 9716 0014