| Solid evidence links lead exposure to | | | | levels of just 2 micrograms per |
| hyperactivity, learning disabilities, | | | | deciliter or more were four times more |
| Attention Deficit Disorder and failure | | | | likely to have ADHD than children with |
| to graduate from high school. Lead | | | | levels below 0.8 microgram per |
| poisoning is also linked to a tendency | | | | deciliter. The government's "acceptable" |
| toward violence and other emotional and | | | | blood lead level is 10 micrograms per |
| behavioral problems. With over 25 | | | | deciliter - five times the amount shown |
| percent of children containing blood | | | | to produce ADHD symptoms. Children are |
| lead levels high enough to lower IQ, | | | | especially susceptible to lead and other |
| cause learning disabilities, Attention | | | | heavy metal exposure. Even small amounts |
| Deficit Disorder, hyperactivity and/or | | | | of lead, mercury and other heavy metals |
| disruptive behavior, lead poisoning | | | | can pose a threat to a child's |
| remains a top environmental health | | | | developing brain. The CDC estimates that |
| hazard for children in the United | | | | 2.2 percent of U.S. children have lead |
| States. Consider these lead exposure | | | | blood levels high enough to cause |
| studies and then seriously consider oral | | | | learning disabilities, damage their |
| chelation therapy to detoxify the body. | | | | developing brains, cause seizures and |
| A 2003 study (University of Pittsburgh) | | | | even death. According to the EPA, about |
| found that delinquent children were four | | | | 1.7 million children are affected by |
| times more likely to have elevated | | | | lead from water pipes, old paint, soil, |
| concentrations of lead in their bones. | | | | and other sources. Discuss chelation |
| For this study, researchers tested the | | | | therapy with your health care |
| lead bone concentrations of high school | | | | professional if your child has learning |
| students without behavioral problems | | | | or behavioral issues or has been |
| against teens convicted in Juvenile | | | | diagnosed with Attention Deficit |
| Court. University of Pittsburgh | | | | Disorder or autism. Chelation therapy |
| researchers also found that children | | | | removes lead, heavy metals and other |
| with elevated lead levels were seven | | | | toxins and can greatly improve or |
| times more likely to drop out of high | | | | entirely eliminate symptoms. EDTA |
| school and six times more likely to have | | | | chelation therapy is the most commonly |
| a reading disability. Boys with elevated | | | | used detoxification treatment for people |
| lead levels were more likely to engage | | | | with lead poisoning and other |
| in vandalism, arson, bullying, | | | | toxicities. EDTA (ethylene diamine |
| shoplifting, and other delinquent | | | | tetra-acetic acid) attaching itself to |
| behaviors. A 2006 study (Center for | | | | heavy metals and carries the metals from |
| Children's Health and the Environment) | | | | the body. EDTA is safe and FDA-approved |
| found that children with blood lead | | | | for treating lead poisoning. |