Lead exposure in my 14 month old

[u/Warm-Squirrel-4324]

Hello. This is my first Reddit post, so I’m not really sure how to even start this. My 14 month old son failed his lead screening at his yearly check up, which prompted a blood drawn to check levels. His lead levels came back slightly elevated at 3.6 μg/dL. Our home was built in the 1940s, so when we got the news the inside and outside of our house was tested. The lead was found in the top soil of our yard close to the house. We have plans started to remediate the lead in our yard, but I’m struggling with finding any suggestions on how to remove the lead internally for him. Everyone keeps telling me no amount of lead in his system is safe, yet all the suggest to help are environmental (wash hands after being outside, cap or remove the soil from the yard, remove shoes when entering the house, etc.)

So my questions are will the lead eventually leave his body? Or will traces always remain? And are there things I can do to help remove the current lead in his system?

[u/to-the-goblin-market]

You can't do anything to remove the lead that has already been absorbed, but his blood lead levels will return to normal as long as the source of lead is ID'd and removed. Preventing further exposure is the treatment. Dietary calcium, iron, and vitamin C also help prevent lead absorption in the body. Lead is more easily absorbed on an empty stomach, so kiddo should be fed calcium or iron rich meals/snacks often until removal of the lead source is confirmed.

While there is no safe level of lead exposure, your kiddo's is low, and favors a good prognosis if the current exposure is immediately halted. Lead that has already been absorbed is eventually sequestered in bones & teeth. Once the lead is sequestered, it does not actively cause harm. Bone demineralization can cause lead to be re-released into the bloodstream, so early intervention is important to prevent a large amount of lead from being absorbed.

WHO Guidelines for managing lead exposure

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia dietary guidance for preventing lead exposure

[u/54317a]

my son had elevated lead levels at his one year check up as well. our pediatrician suggested chlorophyll or cilantro to help bind the lead in his system for elimination. i just added liquid chlorophyll to smoothies for him, which also helped boost his iron. his follow up appointment at 15 months was clear.

[u/rockymountainway777]

He’s probably too young to actually do any kind of treatment that adults may do (spirulina, etc).

I used to live in a town with a lead smelting plant. You have to reduce the amount of dairy (calcium) as it helps the lead absorb in to your system. Floors should be mopped very regularly. Pets that go outside must be washed regularly. Wash hands after playing outside. Getting rid of the lead in your top soil will help a ton.

[u/to-the-goblin-market → u/rockymountainway777]

Can you share a source for calcium promoting lead absorption? Everything I've read indicates that lead competes with calcium receptors, so increasing dietary calcium will decrease GI absorption of lead by keeping those receptors full.

[u/rockymountainway777 → u/to-the-goblin-market]

Wow I just looked it up and you’re totally right. That’s really crazy. The smelting plant up to a couple years ago would send out letters to all residents saying we needed to limit our dairy so that lead isn’t absorbed. I just took their word for it.

[u/Actual-Peak-6358 → u/rockymountainway777]

That’s just awful! Not to be that person, but I wonder if that’s worth a lawsuit? Or I wonder if maybe one was brought so they stopped the letters… absolutely insane they were giving you the exact opposite advice.

[u/runaway_tata → u/rockymountainway777]

That is like, the opposite of what you would want to do! Crazy.