Recently, there have been many recalls of children's products because of the discovery of unsafe amounts of lead. These prompted some internet research on my part. I had a head start, armed with the knowledge of many symptoms caused by lead from previous research.
However, I wanted to re-check exactly what symptoms lead produced, as well as see if there were more symptoms I hadn't known about. I then wanted to compare the symptoms and effects to certain learning and behavioral conditions affecting children (LD, ADD, and ADHD ) to see if there was a connection between those and lead poisoning.
Symptoms of Lead Poising, or Plumbism
Firstly, you need to know that some lead poisoning can cause emergency symptoms, such as abdominal pain and/or cramping, vomiting, seizures, staggering or stumbling, muscle weakness, and coma.
However, it is more common for lead poisoning to build up over time and do internal nerve, kidney, and brain damage with either no symptoms or the following symptoms.
Lowered IQ, difficulty sleeping, slowed growth, hearing problems, behavior problems, attention/focus problems, failures at school, kidney damage, irritability, aggressiveness/aggressive behavior, low or reduced appetite, low or reduced energy, headaches, reduced sensations, loss of developmental skills (mainly in younger children), anemia, and constipation are all symptoms of lead poisoning.
Some Conditions That Have Similar Symptoms
Is it possible that in some of the cases of Learning Disabilities (LD), ADD, or ADHD, children might have had early or prolonged exposure to lead? If so was that causing these disorders?
Take a look at the symptoms that are shared with these problems.
The shared symptoms are low IQ, behavior problems, attention/focus problems, difficulty sleeping, irritability, failures at school, and aggressiveness.
Not all children will have all of the symptoms for either Plumbism or any of the other conditions mentioned. Some may have only one.
However, I wanted to re-check exactly what symptoms lead produced, as well as see if there were more symptoms I hadn't known about. I then wanted to compare the symptoms and effects to certain learning and behavioral conditions affecting children (LD, ADD, and ADHD ) to see if there was a connection between those and lead poisoning.
Symptoms of Lead Poising, or Plumbism
Firstly, you need to know that some lead poisoning can cause emergency symptoms, such as abdominal pain and/or cramping, vomiting, seizures, staggering or stumbling, muscle weakness, and coma.
However, it is more common for lead poisoning to build up over time and do internal nerve, kidney, and brain damage with either no symptoms or the following symptoms.
Lowered IQ, difficulty sleeping, slowed growth, hearing problems, behavior problems, attention/focus problems, failures at school, kidney damage, irritability, aggressiveness/aggressive behavior, low or reduced appetite, low or reduced energy, headaches, reduced sensations, loss of developmental skills (mainly in younger children), anemia, and constipation are all symptoms of lead poisoning.
Some Conditions That Have Similar Symptoms
Is it possible that in some of the cases of Learning Disabilities (LD), ADD, or ADHD, children might have had early or prolonged exposure to lead? If so was that causing these disorders?
Take a look at the symptoms that are shared with these problems.
The shared symptoms are low IQ, behavior problems, attention/focus problems, difficulty sleeping, irritability, failures at school, and aggressiveness.
Not all children will have all of the symptoms for either Plumbism or any of the other conditions mentioned. Some may have only one.
Comments
Yeah, I know what you mean. We made our own ornaments this year. I also make them scrub their hands if they touch the tree. It's just so scary.
I'm nervous about other items that may find their way to my baby's mouth. For instance, I didn't dare let her touch Christmas ornaments this year because they're all Made in China.
Thanks so much you two. I did work real hard on this one, as it's something I am very concerned about, being a mom and a soon-to-be preschool teacher.
Outstanding work on this~Very, very informative and well written.
I've also been wondering what the possible relationship is between toxins and the rise in behavioral problems and autism. Excellent article. Thanks.
Thanks Donna! I truly hope this helps others.
Very useful article including as a starting point to conduct more research.
I agree Katy. Very scary. :-) --- ATTENTION READERS: A few of the links are not working correctly due to AC's automated theme linker. For those items, if you wish to do further research and you find the link leads you back to AC, just do a google search for the phrases at the end of the article and add "lead" to the phrase. Sorry for the inconvenience. :-)
Oh wow now and days there is no telling. Pretty scary
Thanks Jeanne. I think some people use it as an excuse, but there are legitimate cases. When it's legitimate, it will be obvious. The symptoms will be very prevalent. Being a normal hyperactive kid is not the same thing as what these kids do (the legitimate cases). Trust me, I have seen real legitimate cases and they are not due to bad parenting. There is an obvious problem with brain function going on.
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