Lead may be impairing your child’s IQ and behavior

The National Health and Medical Research Council has halved the blood lead levels that are considered concerning, warning there is no safe level of lead exposure.

In a statement released this week, the NHMRC said that any person with more than 5 micrograms of lead per decilitre of blood should have the source of their lead exposure “investigated and reduced, particularly if the person is a child or pregnant woman.”

Children are most vulnerable to harm caused by lead for several reasons:

• They are much closer to the ground; therefore inhale more from the soil.
• They do not have fully developed detoxification mechanisms compared to adults
• Children are more likely to place inappropriate objects into their mouth
• Their much smaller body weight means that lead accumulates far more rapidly

No one really knows how many people are suffering with toxic lead exposure because routine blood tests are not conducted. Recent soil testing in some inner city areas of Sydney has found shockingly high levels of lead and other contaminants. Most capital cities around the world would be similarly affected. Lead accumulates in the environment mainly through its presence in fuel, paint and industrial sources.

Lead may reduce a child’s ability to learn and concentrate, and may place the child at risk of behavioral problems. If you think lead may be an issue for you or your children, your doctor can organise blood tests. Zinc and garlic may both help with lead removal from the body.

Reference