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Lead Poisoning Isn't Just About Kids

STOMACH PROBLEMS. TROUBLE SLEEPING. WEAKNESS IN YOUR ARMS OR LEGS. HEADACHES. MOODINESS. THEY’RE ALL EARLY SYMPTOMS OF ADULT LEAD POISONING.  LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS TOXIC SUBJECT ON TODAY'S ENVIRONMINUTE.

WHEN MYSTERIOUS AILMENTS BEGAN TO HAUNT AN ARTIST, DOCTORS COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE. LUCKILY, ONE DOCTOR RECOGNIZED THE SYMPTOMS AND TESTED HER FOR LEAD POISONING. A CAREFUL SEARCH REVEALED THAT THE LEAD EXPOSURE CAME FROM BOTH A PIGMENT IN HER PAINTS AND A CALCIUM SUPPLEMENT THAT INCLUDED GROUND ANIMAL BONES.  ONCE SHE ELIMINATED THE SOURCES, SHE RECOVERED, BUT IT TOOK YEARS AND A STRICT HEALTH REGIMEN.   

LEAD FINDS ITS WAY INTO YOUR SYSTEM THROUGH BREATHING, DRINKING, AND EATING. ONCE IN THE SOIL, IT DOESN'T DEGRADE AND CAN END UP IN THE FOOD CHAIN.  WHILE CHILDREN ARE THE MOST SUSCEPTIBLE, ADULTS CAN BE AT RISK, TOO.  KNOWING THE SYMPTOMS CAN LEAD TO EARLIER DETECTION AND A BETTER CHANCE FOR RECOVERY.        

THE ENVIRONMINUTE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE HEINZ FAMILY PHILANTHROPIES AND THE HEINZ ENDOWMENTS.  LEARN MORE BY VISITING ENVIRONMINUTE-DOT-COM. 

To learn more, visit the AZ Department of Health Services.