In fact, they were close to what was recognized at the time—this was back in the mids—would be recognized as hazardous waste if they were at an industrial site. My students collected samples from the gardens, and since it was a commuter campus, I would gain samples from all the metropolitan area.
We kept track of the addresses and marked it on a map, and we started realizing the interior of the city was very highly contaminated. Baltimore had brick buildings toward the interior of the city. The areas toward the outskirts were painted and had lead-based paint on them. When I looked at soils in the two different parts of the city, the low lead soils were the areas with painted buildings whereas the interior of the city had very high lead levels.
That was when I started to pay attention to the amount of lead in gasoline. It proved to be a very large tonnage per year. The automobile was really a toxic substance delivery system. MJ: Even today most people think of lead paint when they think of lead poisoning. HM: In the s, there was an article in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives by Gary Ter Haar that stated basically paint was causing the major pollution of lead in urban soils.
When we looked at Baltimore, the pattern we were finding was the opposite of what you would expect. It turns out Gary Ter Haar worked for the Ethyl Corporation [which manufactured the lead additive for gasoline]. There was a huge conflict of interest. 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.
Hobbyists such as fishermen making sinkers, shooters at indoor firing ranges or miniature collectors are also at risk. New taps can contain 4. New plumbing may leach lead for up to five years! A water filter may be the answer for your family. These cans are usually irregular in shape with a thick seam and horizontal depressions dents. 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. 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. Regular washing of the pet and hand washing for the family members is important.
Have you renovated a pre home or do you live on a busy road? Does your pre home have peeling or chalking paint? Was the paint on your or your neighbours pre property ever sand or water blasted or renovated using sanding or some other unsafe dust creating method?
Does a member of the household work with lead or use it in a hobby? Do you live near a source of lead contamination e. 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. A common cause in young children is swallowing or licking lead-coated objects.
Babies and young children often put non-food items in their mouth. Children can inhale contaminated dust or eat lead paint chips during a home renovation or move. Lead poisoning can also be caused by drinking water from lead-coated plumbing. Other sources of lead poisoning include:. Blood screening may be important if there is a high-risk exposure, since lead exposure does not always lead to symptoms in children.
Blood lead level tests are recommended only for children with risk factors. They also give the child medicine called chelating agents. These are chemicals that can pull lead out of the bloodstream and into the urine so it can leave the body. Order your children to wash hands often. Lead dust is less likely to be ingested after a good wash. Keep outdoor shoes outside your home. The dirt on the bottom of the shoes can contain lead from soil.
Older homes may have paint with lead. Do not sand or scrape the paint because it will increase lead dust. Avoid using lead crystal containers for food or beverages.
Especially, do not serve pregnant women or children drinks in crystal glasses. Other complications may include:. Last accessed March Household interventions for prevention of domestic lead exposure in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews , Issue 2.
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