Lead Poisoning

Treatment

Depending on the results of the blood lead test, treatment may involve efforts to reduce exposure to lead, such as by wet mopping living areas frequently and flushing water from the tap before drinking if lead pipes are used. Lead abatement is the process of methodically removing lead paint or other lead sources from a building or area. Workers exposed to lead in their jobs may have to wear respirators. If lead is still building up in their bodies, they may be transferred to a low-lead job, a procedure called medical removal. Abatement at the work site may be required if blood lead levels are very high among employees.

Chelation therapy is a last resort treatment to rid the body of high amounts of lead. Chelation involves giving a patient a chemical, which lead will preferentially bind to and then be excreted in the urine. Sodium calcium edetate is effective but has to be given into a vein. Dimercaptosuccinic acid has the advantage that it can be given by mouth and is often used in small children. Chelation treatment can be dangerous, however, because the chemical-lead combination can damage kidneys.

For more information about lead poisoning, visit the National Center for Environmental Health online at www.cdc.gov/nceh.~