Get the Lead Out

Solid evidence links lead exposure to hyperactivity,Environment) found that children with blood lead
learning disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder andlevels of just 2 micrograms per deciliter or more
failure to graduate from high school. Lead poisoning iswere four times more likely to have ADHD than
also linked to a tendency toward violence and otherchildren with levels below 0.8 microgram per deciliter.
emotional and behavioral problems.The government's "acceptable" blood lead level is 10
With over 25 percent of children containing blood leadmicrograms per deciliter - five times the amount
levels high enough to lower IQ, cause learningshown to produce ADHD symptoms.
disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder, hyperactivityChildren are especially susceptible to lead and other
and/or disruptive behavior, lead poisoning remains aheavy metal exposure. Even small amounts of lead,
top environmental health hazard for children in themercury and other heavy metals can pose a threat
United States.to a child's developing brain.
Consider these lead exposure studies and thenThe CDC estimates that 2.2 percent of U.S. children
seriously consider oral chelation therapy to detoxifyhave lead blood levels high enough to cause learning
the body.disabilities, damage their developing brains, cause
A 2003 study (University of Pittsburgh) found thatseizures and even death. According to the EPA,
delinquent children were four times more likely toabout 1.7 million children are affected by lead from
have elevated concentrations of lead in their bones.water pipes, old paint, soil, and other sources.
For this study, researchers tested the lead boneDiscuss chelation therapy with your health care
concentrations of high school students withoutprofessional if your child has learning or behavioral
behavioral problems against teens convicted inissues or has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit
Juvenile Court.Disorder or autism. Chelation therapy removes lead,
University of Pittsburgh researchers also found thatheavy metals and other toxins and can greatly
children with elevated lead levels were seven timesimprove or entirely eliminate symptoms.
more likely to drop out of high school and six timesEDTA chelation therapy is the most commonly used
more likely to have a reading disability. Boys withdetoxification treatment for people with lead
elevated lead levels were more likely to engage inpoisoning and other toxicities. EDTA (ethylene diamine
vandalism, arson, bullying, shoplifting, and othertetra-acetic acid) attaching itself to heavy metals and
delinquent behaviors.carries the metals from the body. EDTA is safe and
A 2006 study (Center for Children's Health and theFDA-approved for treating lead poisoning.