The toxic effects of lead exposure occur gradually as lead accumulates in the body over an extended period of time, making the symptoms of lead poisoning sometimes difficult to notice. Since lead itself is not usually in an obvious form, it is not even likely to be discovered through casual observation. The medical term for this lead poisoning is “plumbism.”

Children swallow chips of lead paint, putting them into their mouths because of its sweet taste; they play in dirt near roadways contaminated by vehicles that have burned leaded fuel; they drink water from an old home’s leaded pipes; they play with imported costume jewelry made of lead, or sometimes just inhale the dust created in the course of lead abatement. The lead builds up in the most vulnerable parts of their developing bodies. Typical pediatric symptoms of lead poisoning may include:

• A gradual loss of appetite and its resulting weight loss
• A sluggishness or lack of energy and unusually pale skin tones
• Irritability and general crankiness
• Tummy aches, vomiting and/or constipation
• Learning difficulties, including speech and behavior problems
• Hearing loss
• Anemia

Adults generally have less exposure, since they are not likely to ingest paint chips. However, occupational exposures and the use of imported foods, cosmetics and homeopathic medicines, and drinking water from old lead pipes may be problematic. Adult symptoms are also different, but no less serious:

• Numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain in arms, legs, hands, feet, fingers, and/or toes
• Headache
• Digestion and nerve disorders
• Vision and hearing problems
• High blood pressure
• Memory loss or difficulties
• Depression or other mood disorders
• Low sperm count or abnormal sperm in men, miscarriage and still birth in women

Testing is managed through a simple blood test. This should be done every year for young children or for older children and adults whenever symptoms are present or exposure has been discovered. If a patient’s insurance company does not cover the cost of this test, many county health departments will do the testing without charge.

Without treatment, some of the symptoms may become part of a permanent illness leading to seizures, unconsciousness and sometimes death. With early diagnosis, however, many of the symptoms can be diminished or eliminated. First line treatment, of course, is to eliminate the exposure, removing peeling paint or other contaminated items from the home. In the more severe cases, medication may be administered to help the body eliminate the lead through the urine.