| Around the holidays as well as other times, toys are | | | | were used in the plumbing. Lead is unable to been |
| serious business. A recent discovery which found that | | | | tasted, seen, or smelled. |
| lead contamination is widespread is causing parents | | | | Lead poisoning in children has been found by the EPA |
| and grandparents to panic. Some of the most trusted | | | | to be a major environmental health problem in the |
| names in the toy industry have had to recall favorite | | | | US. Children who appear healthy can have extremely |
| toys that have been around for ages. Although lead | | | | dangerous levels of lead in their bodies. Lead is |
| has gotten all the press lately, other toxins found in | | | | dangerous because it is a neurotoxin causing damage |
| toys and household products are sure to be next | | | | to the brain and nervous system, leading to |
| month's topics. | | | | behavioral and learning problems, hyperactivity, |
| December 2007's issue of Consumer Reports | | | | slowed growth, hearing problems, and headaches. In |
| concluded that lead can be found in a large variety of | | | | adults, lead toxicity can lead to complications with |
| items used everyday. Dishware, jewelry, glue stick | | | | pregnancy, fetal neurodevelopment abnormalities, |
| caps, vinyl backpacks, vinyl lunchboxes, children's tea | | | | male and female reproductive problems, high blood |
| sets, vinyl mini blinds, brass keys, baby bibs, clothing, | | | | pressure, digestive and nerve disorders, and problems |
| crayons, and chalk were among those products | | | | with memory and concentration. If you think that |
| tested. A fairly safe hypothesis is that those items | | | | you child has been exposed to lead, you should have |
| that are brightly colored and made overseas are likely | | | | he or she tested immediately. The EPA recommends |
| to contain lead, as it is an inexpensive pigment. Other | | | | that all children be tested when they are at the age |
| household items that are not normally associated with | | | | of one or two. |
| toys are made with lead because of its malleable and | | | | Pediatricians also suggest the children under the age |
| stabilizing qualities. These items, which include brass | | | | of six be tested every year as young children are at |
| keys, are often given to young kids as | | | | the greatest risk from lead toxicity. The American |
| entertainment, while parents are unaware that they | | | | Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children |
| contain surface lead. Any item that a young child | | | | who associate with other children who are lead toxic |
| handles often or puts in his or her mouth should be | | | | be tested each year, no matter there age. The AAP |
| tested for lead. A shocking discovery found that | | | | also recommends taking nutritional supplements of |
| inexpensive children's jewelry imported from China | | | | calcium and iron for toxic children as a way to |
| contains as much as 90 percent lead. Waste in the | | | | prevent lead buildup and reduce body burden. Lead |
| environment and use of lead additives is a major | | | | inhibits calcium and replaces it in the bones, therefore |
| contributor to contamination in the United States. The | | | | both calcium and iron can reduce the storage of lead |
| widespread use of battery-operated toys has made | | | | in tissues. Increasing the amount of fresh fruits and |
| dumping and recycling of batteries a major concern. | | | | vegetables consumed daily is also suggested, as they |
| Because lead never deteriorates or disappears, the | | | | contain vitamin C, which helps to harness the lead |
| EPA believes that the primary source of lead | | | | and escort it out of the body. A multiple vitamin with |
| exposure for most children is from deteriorating | | | | C or an additional vitamin C supplement is also |
| lead-based house paint, dust from this paint, and its | | | | recommended by doctors as a preventative |
| residues in soil. Not only can lead be inhaled and | | | | measure. Calcium, iron, multiple vitamins and vitamin C |
| ingested from paint residue, but it can also come | | | | can all be found at your local or internet health food |
| from food and beverages. Drinking water has been | | | | store. |
| shown to contain lead if lead solder or lead parts | | | | |