the Re-appearance of Lead Dangers

We all know that living in a house built before 1980 (especially if you have children) is a potential lead hazard, especially if there is peeling paint. Some residential and work areas still have traces of lead in the soil, especially if it is near a highway, since lead in gasoline wasn't entirely phased out until 1995.

Children with harmful levels of lead in their blood dropped 85% between 1978 and 1998. Despite the huge improvement over the last 30 years, recently we've become privvy to a new source of lead poison - our own children's toys. Huge retailers such as Fisher Price (which manufactures Mattel toys as well) have issued disturbingly long lists of recalled toys for potential lead hazards. You can see a recall list here, complete with pictures, but I couldn't find an update date listed, though I think this was released in August 2007 : http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07257.html
(More recal lists at bottom of post).

RISKS OF LEAD

While adults absorb about 11 percent of lead reaching the digestive tract, children may absorb 30 to 75 percent. When lead is inhaled, up to 50 percent is absorbed, but less than 1 percent of lead is absorbed when it comes in contact with the skin. The body stores lead mainly in bone, where it can accumulate for decades.

Lead disrupts the functioning of almost every brain neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers between the body's nerve cells. Things such as calcium, which are essential for blood clotting and heart activity, can be affected by lead exposure, in turn throwing a person's entire body into disarray.

Unborn children can be permanently affected by the Mother being exposed to lead. Delays in early sensory-motor development from neurological problems are the least of these - high lead exposure can lead a baby to be born prematurely, underweight, or even lead to miscarriage or stillbirth. If you are pregnant or suspect that you are, PLEASE do whatever possible to ensure that you are not in contact with lead. I will list information sites and tips at the bottom of this post.

A child's exposure to even low lead levels may result in learning or behavioral problems.

Higher levels of exposure in children can be associated with anemia and changes in kidney function, as well as significant changes in the nervous system that may, at extreme exposures, include seizures, coma and death.

In adults, lead exposure can cause reproductive issues and high blood pressure.

Severe lead poisoning in adults doesn't differ much from children - it can lead to seizures, coma, and death.

SYMPTOMS OF LEAD POISONING

Symptoms can vary greatly depending on the age of the exposed person, the amount of lead that they were exposed to, and the length of time that they were exposed.

Some common sysmptoms include:

• Headache;
• Irritability
• Abdominal pain;
• Subtle loss of recently aqcuired skills;
• bizarre behavior (unlike the person would normally behave);
• listlessness;
• incoordination;
• vomiting;
• lethargy;
• appetite loss;
• constipation.

There are times however, where a child or person may not report any symptoms at all - so if you're not sure or suspect that they've been exposed to lead, contact your doctor immediately.

MORE INFORMATION

American Association of Poison Control Centers

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention

Consumer Product Safety Commission

1-800-638-CPSC

TDD: 1-800-638-8270

Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Hotline

1-800-426-4791

National Lead Information Center1-800-LEAD-FYIclearinghouse:

1-800-424-LEADTDD: 1-800-526-5456

Lead Exposure Risk Assessment Questionairre

RECALL LISTS:

Children's Toys:

Mattel Barbie Accessory Toys

Fisher-Price Bongo Band Toys

Fisher-Price GeoTrax Locomotive Toys

Schylling Associates Thomas the Tank & Curious George toys

Martin Designs Inc. Spongebob Squarepants Character Address Books and Journals

Complete Lists of Mattel's Recalled Toys

More at Consumer Product Safety Commission Website

Pet Foods:

Lists of several recalled pet foods by brand/store (scroll to bottom of the page, contains both dog and cat foods)

I haven't been able to find any sites listing recalled or hazardous pet toys, but in leou of the children's toy recalls, I would suggest that you either refrain from buying your pet tos for a while, or pay very close attention when you do. Here's an article that offers advice for buying safe toys for your pets.