PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — If your children receive regular medical care, you may have noticed that blood levels of lead have been checked. There is good reason for this.
People who have high lead levels suffer from fatigue, irritability, headache as well as colic and constipation. Extreme levels can cause coma or death. Long-term exposure that is not detected can lead to developmental delays.
Lead was taken out of gasoline in 1975 and the United States has strong regulations on products like paint. The danger is that lead remains in paint chips found in older houses and it can leak from old water lines or be found in the soil from years of leaded gasoline.
Talk with your physician about potential risks and make certain you take it seriously.
Get more medical reports from Dr. Brian McDonough.
KYW Newsradio's Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.
