Cincinnati Lead Poisoning

The Lyon Firm is currently reviewing and accepting lead poisoning cases. Lead poisoning in children is diagnosed when the amount of lead in blood reaches 10 micrograms per deciliter or more. In order to prevent possible serious consequences of lead poisoning, it is of essential importance to recognize the signs and symptoms of lead poisoning in children as early as possible.Children are at significantly higher danger of lead poisoning because it can damage the developing nerves and brains of children. According to WebMD, chronic lead poisoning in children may cause learning problems and a decrease in IQ.

cincinnati lead poisoning

Lead Poisoning Symptoms and Cincinnati
by Joseph Lyon

According to the data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are about 250,000 children under the age of 5, suffering from lead poisoning in the USA, including the city of Cincinnati, where many houses are still contaminated with poisonous lead paint.  Lead poisoning in children is diagnosed when the amount of lead in blood reaches 10 micrograms per deciliter or more.  The current Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, developed by CDC, aims at eliminating lead poisoning in U.S. children by year 2010.

Symptoms of Lead Poisoning

In order to prevent possible serious consequences of lead poisoning, it is of essential importance to recognize the signs and symptoms of lead poisoning in children as early as possible. Though it is not always easy, as lead poisoning often develops gradually and shows no obvious symptoms, it is still important to know the signs of lead poisoning.

According to the guideline from the National Institutes of Health, lead poisoning can affect nearly any organ of the human body. Children are at significantly higher danger of lead poisoning because it can damage the developing nerves and brains of children. The younger the child, the more dangerous and harmful lead can be for his healthy growth and development.

Basically, there are two types of lead poisoning: acute and chronic. Acute poisoning develops in response to the exposure to a single high dose of lead. In this case, the symptoms of lead poisoning are as follows:
- Pain, muscle weakness, and tingling or pricking in the skin
- Metallic taste in the mouth
- Gastrointestinal problems: nausea, constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and weight loss
- Anemia and hemoglobin in the urine
- Neurological problems: poor coordination, seizures, paralysis, coma6

However, the most common cases of lead poisoning are chronic, when tiny amounts of lead accumulate in the organism gradually over the significant period of time. Such cases are difficult to recognize, as the symptoms develop gradually and become vivid only after making significant harm to a child’s health. Common signs of chronic lead poisoning are: 4,6,
- Aggressive behavior and irritability
- Hyperactivity, impulsiveness
- Problems with sleeping, persistent fatigue
- Loss of developmental skills in children
- Anemia
- Gastrointestinal problems, including constipation, abdominal pain, etc.
- Low appetite and energy
- Reduced level of sensation

According to WebMD, chronic lead poisoning in children may cause learning problems and a decrease in IQ. Besides, children with elevated lead levels may be smaller in size in comparison to other children of their age. 

Lead Poisoning Tests and Results Interpretations

The most common way to define the amount of lead in the human body and diagnose lead poisoning is the blood lead level test. This test does not show how much lead is accumulated in one’s body, but it shows how much lead circulates in the blood stream. The blood lead test results are usually given in micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood.
Normal blood lead levels are:
- Less than 10 micrograms/dL for children
- Less than 20 micrograms/dL for adults
Children with the blood lead test results of 10 mg/dL or higher should be constantly monitored and tested, while the source of lead should be found and eliminated. Medical treatment is necessary when lead levels reach 45 micrograms per deciliter. Adults require medical treatment once their blood lead levels reach 60 micrograms per deciliter.2,7
Blood lead tests can be made virtually at any medical facility. These tests are inexpensive or even free at some locations. Residents of Cincinnati may contact Cincinnati Drug and Poison Information Center for more details on lead poisoning and blood lead tests.

Resources for Lead Poisoning

1.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web site. Lead. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/. Accessed on January 17, 2010.
2.  Medline Plus web site. Lead levels-blood. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003360.htm. Accessed on January 17, 2010.
3.  Medline Plus web site. Lead poisoning. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002473.htm. Accessed on January 17, 2010.

4.  Wikipedia. Lead poisoning. Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead_poisoning#Complications. Accessed on January 17, 2010.
5.  Mayo Clinic web site. Lead poisoning. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/lead-poisoning/FL00068/DSECTION=symptoms. Accessed on January 17, 2010.
6.  WebMD website. Lead Poisoning-Symptoms. Available at: http://children.webmd.com/tc/lead-poisoning-symptoms. Accessed on January 17, 2010.
7.  Department of Ecology. State of Washington. Blood Lead Level Testing. Available at: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/hwtr/demodebris/pages2/lbloodtest.html.

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