Lead Poisoning
Lead is not only linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, and kidney failure, it is also connected to the epidemic of children with ADHD, developmental and learning problems, and autism.
Even though the “safe” blood level of lead has been set as 10 micrograms/deciliter, recent studies show that the greatest drop-off in IQ scores in children occurs in those who have lead levels between just 1 and 10 micrograms/deciliter. This is troubling, because more than 10 percent of poor and inner city children have lead exposure levels higher than 10 micrograms/deciliter!
- Find out if you are lead-toxic. The easiest test is a simple blood lead test. Be sure the lab can measure VERY low levels of lead accurately. Anything higher than 2 micrograms/deciliter is toxic and should be treated. Unfortunately, the blood test only checks for current or ongoing exposures, so you must also take a heavy metal challenge test with DMSA, EDTA, or DMPS, which should only be administered by a doctor trained in heavy metal detoxification. (See www.functionalmedicine.org or www.acam.org to find a qualified doctor.) Consider undergoing chelation therapy with a licensed medical provider if your lead levels are high.
- Reduce your exposures by having a “no shoes in the house” policy. A great deal of lead can be tracked into your house in the dust on the soles of shoes. Leaving your shoes at the door helps reduce the amount of contamination in your home.
- Test your water for heavy metals. There are a number of home test kits available online. If you prefer to have a professional test your water, call your city water provider or look for labs in your area that will perform this kind of test.
- Buy a carbon or reverse osmosis water filter for your drinking water. These filters remove lead and other toxic substances like PCBs.
- Some providers recommend 1,000 milligrams of buffered ascorbic acid (vitamin C) a day. This helps remove lead from the body.
- Also recommended is 2,000 to 4,000 IU of vitamin D3 a day to prevent your bones from releasing lead into your bloodstream.
From www.drhyman.com/why-lead-poisoning-may-be-causing-your-health-problems-2371/
To learn more about environmental concerns in black communities, go to the National Black Environmental Justice Network.
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