Lead Paint

We lived in a house that tested for lead after my son's levels were sky high.

We moved and he had to undergo treatment for 6 months.

Nanc

We went through this in our 100 year old house. I'd advise you to do whatever you can before moving in. Hire a certified lead inspector. They use a special "gun" to test every painted surface in the house. They will recommend what you do to make it safe. We hired a certified company to strip some surfaces and use a special encapsulation paint on others. The experts also recommend frequent cleaning with wet paper towels or even baby wipes. It is the dust that is a problem. We moved out for 10 days while this was done. It wasn't cheap but it gave us peace of mind. There are government programs that can give you advice and help pay for it. We also have my DS tested every year. Good luck.

Feed your child with more beef. I was told by a mom whose child ate lead paint and showed high level of mercury in the blood. The prescription drink tased awful that her child wouldn't drink it. So, her pediatrician told her to feed her child with more beef. Ask your doctor about it.

Another way to handle it is to put on wall papers and paint the window frames and stairs with no lead non-toxic paint.

We live in an old house. When I was pregnant with #1, I was concerned about the possibility of lead paint. They sell kits at Home Depot, you can test the paint yourself. You make a scratch in the surface, and then rub this special lead tester on it. If the area turns color, its positive for lead.

We found that only one certain color they used to paint with was lead based. Its mostly on the outside of the house, and on the external window trim.

We have the kids lead levels checked regularly. Both of them have tested normal each and every time.

Hi H.
Dealt with lead, my dad made lead sinkers years ago in our basement. When we tried to sell the house, well clean up was costly.
Though not scientifically proven, physicians have noticed taking vitamins and herbs can help relieve some of the effects that toxins have on our body. There are supplements that can help remove toxins from the body, such as Milk Thistle supplement, and other needed vitamins are antioxidants such as vitamin C, zinc, selenium, and vitamin E.
I also read that if parents just gave their kids vitamins, which cost only a few cents a day, they would not have to worry about the lead paint at the playgrounds. I can't remember all the details but check with your local health food store.
I do know that if you have enough time you can get lead out of soil by simply tilling the soil 2X yearly with clover or other green cover crop. Does that mean that greens eaten will keep a child healthy, I don't know, but if I were in your shoes I would sure be trying it. I am also looking up that paper work & will email any info.
God bless you
Hope you get the house and it has already been cleaned up.
K. SAHM married 38 years adult children 37 international volleyball coach, 32 lawyer married with our only grandchild born this summer, and twins 18 in college after homeschooling. One majoring in art, and one majoring in journalism.

Hello H.,

While I haven't been through the process of removing lead paint first hand, I do have experience with being diagnosed with excessive levels of lead in my own body and other toxic metals.

It is beleived my exposure is a long time accumulation. I grew up in an old farm-house with potential lead paint and pipes and my parents did not take the steps to fix any of this I guess they are old school, (nothing ever hurt us, etc etc.) I also was exposed to well water in an agricultural area that had been treated with pesticides, weed killers, etc. I also lived in areas that had questionable water supplies.

I know there is a lot of awareness now about the dangers of lead and other toxic metals especially in children. But it can hurt us adults too. I had such low energy that only got worse over time, at some point my body just couldn't get all this stuff out. I have three siblings who have had kidney transplants...could this be a factor, Maybe? It's really unheard of and hard to say.

Either way I go through chelation therapy once a week and sit with and I.V. in my arm for 3-1/2 hours to remove the toxins out of my body. It's tedious but well worth it. My test results show a steady decrease in lead and the other toxins over a period of 6 months and I'm not done yet. It will probably continue for another 6 months to a year. It's a slow process.

My reccomendation; spend whatever amount of money is necessary before you move in to have professionals come in and remove it and repaint it. Make sure the work is guaranteed. I would also have the water and pipes tested and remove and replace them as well if necessary.

This stuff is NOT harmless. You don't want to expose yourselves or your children. Prevention is much better than trying to correct it once it's in your body.

Good Luck,

D.

Dear H.,

I own a daycare center in an old church and once lead tested I had to have window sills, and some doorways replaced. When you have your tests done make sure they are clear on results. There is a classification called LEAD SAFE which means the lead is contained, not peeling or chipping so there is no hazard at that time. However assessments have to be done every three years to make sure the lead is still classified staff and contained. Then there is a classification of LEAD FREE which means all the lead found has been abated and no further assessments need to be done. Just make sure the assessment is clear on lead safe or lead free. I just wanted you to be clear on the differences so you can make your decision on how you would like to handle it should lead be found. Hope this helped.

Definitely hire lead experts to come in to test, the do-it-yourself tests from Home Depot and the like are not very accurate, especially when it is your son's neurological development at stake. Whatever the experts tell you to do, do it, and if you can, wait to move in until after you have dealt with the lead first. Good luck!