Lead poisoning

Definition:

Poisoning from an overdose of lead.

Poisonous Ingredient:

lead

Where Found:

pottery glaze
some paints
storage batteries
some solders
some toys

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms:

body as a whole
- tremor
- twitching
- convulsions
- paralysis
- muscle soreness
- fatigue
- weakness
- joint pain
- incoordination
eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- visual abnormalities
gastrointestinal
heart and blood vessels
- high blood pressure
nervous system
- agitation
- coma
- hallucinations
- lack of desire to do anything
- irritable
- uncooperative
- headache
- sleeping difficulty
- confusion

Home Treatment:

Contact Poison Control if you think there has been an acute lead exposure. Before inducing emesis, contact Poison Control to verify that is the correct treatment. Chronic exposure to lead may result in an accumulated overdose for which the ipecac is useless.

If instructed to induce emesis, proceed as follows or as otherwise instructed:

Give the usual dose of ipecac syrup: 15 milliliters (ml) or 1 TABLEspoonful for children and 30 ml (2 TABLEspoonsful) for an adult.
Follow with 1/2 glassful or 4 ounces (oz.) of water for children or 8-12 oz. of water for adults.
Repeat one more time in 1/2 hour if emesis has not occurred.

Before Calling Emergency:

Determine the following:

the patient's age, weight, and condition
the name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
the time it was swallowed
the amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number:

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room:

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

the use of gastric lavage
administration of an IV or oral antidote
treatment of the symptoms

Expectations (prognosis):

Complete recovery may take months to years, and there may be permanent neurologic effects of chronic lead exposure in children. Symptoms resembling chronic intoxication may be develop over a period weeks or months.

The nervous and muscular systems can be greatly affected and compromised (no longer function as well as they should) following lead intoxication. Other body systems may be affected to various degrees, such as the kidneys and blood system. Individuals that live may suffer from some permanent brain damage.

Review Date: 2/4/2001
Reviewed By: Kevin G. Wheeler, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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