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$Title{How Would One Know if They Have Lead Poisoning?}
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dimercaprol bal edetate calcium sodium caedta nervous system plumbum headache
metal tasting abdomen pain vomit constipated seizure chelate chelated
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Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


How Would One Know if They Have Lead Poisoning?


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QUESTION:  Here are a few questions I would love to see answered.  How would
you know if you have lead poisoning, what are the signs?  Is there any special
therapy that can leach out the metal?  I'm asking because apparently my water
pipes have been leaking lead into our system for years.

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ANSWER:  There are two types of lead poisoning (also known as plumbism), a
"high-dose" form from eating paint chips containing lead, swallowing a lead
containing object, eating contaminated foods, breathing in fumes of leaded
gasoline, or other occupational exposure.  "Low-dose" may result from exposure
to lead-contaminated dust or soil.  In adults the symptoms develop slowly over
several weeks, with headaches, metallic taste in the mouth loss of appetite,
abdominal pains with vomiting and constipation.  Personality changes may
occur, but seizures are rare.  In children there is a very different picture.
After a period of irritability and reduced play activity which may last for a
week or more, the symptoms develop rapidly over a 1 to 5 day period and
include persistent and forceful vomiting, seizures, changes in the conscious
state and finally coma.  The diagnosis is made by measuring the amount of lead
found in the blood or urine.  Treatment using chelating agents, dimercaprol
(BAL) and edetate calcium sodium (CaEDTA), which bind to the metal and are
then excreted by the kidney, can lower the lead levels quite rapidly, but the
long term treatment really means removing the source of the lead exposure.  If
you suspect you have been exposed, a blood test can provide you with a
definitive answer.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.