We thought we caught him and put him away for good a few decades ago, but it appears he may still be lurking around in some of our homes. This silent villain can cause anemia, kidney problems, and neurological damage - including seizures, coma, and even death.

In old homes, he may still exist in the soil of our front and back yards. The most common source of pediatric lead poisoning is in the dust within a home that contains deteriorated lead-based paint from walls and windowsills. Many people are able to get most of the lead out of their homes, but it may still permeate the soil in the front and backyards. If a home is near a busy street, that may also pose a risk. Gasoline used to contain a high level of lead, and can also permeate the soil of homes near high traffic areas. It is only since the 70's that lead was pretty much removed from most gasolines.

Old homes, however, are not the only places of risk for getting lead poisoning. In 1993, a 6 year-old boy from California was identified as poisoned by lead during a routine well-child screening exam. His BLL was 59 ug/dL. A BLL level of 45 or higher requires medical and environmental interventions, including chelation therapy. From 1993 to 1997 he received chelation therapy seven times to reduce his BLL levels. His five siblings, aged from 11 to 17, were also screened within 9 months of their brother's screening. Their BLLs were 35 - 46 ug/dL. The mother, also screened, showed up with a BLL of 26 ug/dL. In 1995, 2 cousins, ages 3 and 7, showed up with BLLs of 50 ug dL and 57 ug/dL respectively. Another related cousin was screened in 1996, with a BLL of 26 ug/dL at 1 year-old. Surprisingly, the elevations showed up as coinciding with the return of a maternal aunt, from visits to Mexico. The aunt happened to transport Tamarindo candy jam products from Mexico, a product that is restricted from importation to the U.S. since 1993 because of its high lead content.

Also beware of any candy that has been stored in ceramic, leaded crystal, and antique candy dishes and similar vessels. Though the lead might not directly touch the food, it could leach into the packaging to contaminate the candy. Not only that, but some candy wrappers have shown up with lead content. Though sports trading cards are mostly a thing of the past, the gum in them may also be contaminated with lead because these cards have been found to contain lead as well.

Candy is not the only culprit of modern lead poisoning, however. It appears the silent killer is lurking in other unusual spots as well. In May of 1997, a 3 year-old boy from Michicgan was discovered of having a BLL of 27 ug/dL. His 2 year-old brother had a BLL of 36 ug/dL. The home they lived in was cleaned professionally with trisodium phosphate solution and a high efficiency (HEPA) air vacuum. Dust samples were taken, and showed up as negative for lead content. In 1998, the family had BLLs of 50 ug/dL to 60 ug/dL. The brothers' BLLs were shown to even have increased following chelation therapy. In 1998 samples were finally taken of spices found in the house. They were analyzed, and no significant lead levels were found, except in one spice...that of Lozeena. Lozeena is used by Iraqis to color rice and meats. It was found to have almost 9% lead content. Nine out of eighteen extended family members tested showed increased BLLS of 25-84, and those found with high BLLs were only those who had eaten food prepared with the Lozeena. This product was purchased in Iraq, and brought into the U.S. by a maternal grandmother. A BLL level of 70 or above is considered a medical emergency, and medical and environmental managment is required immediately.

Also beware of imported food in cans. It can be sealed with lead solder. Though these types of cans are no longer manufactured in the U.S., they may still be manufactured in other countries. They are known by their wide seams, with a silver-gray solder along the seam that contains lead. They may be brought to the U.S., and sold. Over time, the lead can get into the food. Once such a can is opened, lead contamination can accelerate. Cans containing acidic foods are said to have even higher accelerations of lead contamination than other foods.

Eye cosmetics may also be to blame. If you see "kohl" as an ingredient on the package, you should beware. Though it is no longer used in the manufacture of eye makeup here in the United States, it can still be found in other countries. This can also be considered a color of eye cosmetics, and sometimes the 2 are hard to tell apart. Caution is still advised.

So what can you do to reduce the likelihood of lead contamination in your children? Experts say that a diet rich in Calcium, Iron and Vitamin C can reduce the absorption of lead in a child's body. Such a diet is also helpful in actually increasing the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals.

There are actually different classes of lead poisoning assigned to different levels of the poisoning found in people's bodies, along with assigned actions. They go as follows:

Class ug/dL Actions to be taken

I = <9 Patient is not considered lead-poisoned

IIA 6-14 Patient should be screened frequently

IIB 15-19 Patient should receive nutritional and
educational interventions

III 20-44 Patient should receive an environmental
and medical evaluation, remediation, and
pharmacological treatment

IV 45-69 Patient should receive medical and
environmental interventions, including
chelation therapy.

V =>70 This is considered a medical emergency!
Medical and environmental management
should begin immediately!