Air filters/ lead

[Guest guest]

Hillary and others,

 

Our story is a LONG one,  but basically we were told,  believe and expereinced 

that if you live in a pre 1978 house,  espeically a very old house.  You just

have lead,  period. I am sure there are exceptions,  but they are few and far

between.  Even if it covered,  you can still ahve issues.  OUr house was newly

painted when we moved in.  After 7 or so years,  still no chipping paint, etc, 

we started having issues.. CHri's kidney's came out of remission ( we learned

his near death as a child wa probably due to lead)  then Emma was so sick.  WE

did everything you are supposed to do... tested the house with home kits, tested

Emma.. etc.  Then when we found out she had all the symptoms of heavy metal

issues,  we did a provoked urine and she was off the charts  ( 76).  The we

called in a state agency and they tested.... 49% of the surfaces in the hosue

were lead ( covered).  The lead dust levels ( and we keep a clean house)  were

off

the charts. It came from the opening and closing of doors, cupboards and

windows ove the years.. even though there were replacement windows. WE moved out

, it was a rental)  they abated the house.  when we were out of the hosue we got

better,  not all better,  b ut we improved.  WE moved back in and started

getting sick again.  WE moved to our current location, in a 1988 condo with air

and water flitration.  I will NEVER  live in a pre 1978 house again.  The lead

did so much damage.  It was long term,  low level exposure,  whihc doens't show

up on traditional blood tests,  and now the experts beleive can actually be more

damaginng than acute exposure.  It's a hard thing.  I am thankful that I didn't

own the home.  On the other hand,  the landlord has no repsonsibility to help

us.  the lead laws in maine are quite weak.

If you live in a pre 1978 house,  there are things you can do.  Call and get

your house tested offically.  you will get a " Map "   ( list " )  of exactly where

the lead is,  how bad it is,  and what the dsut levels are.  make sure you ahve

a hapa filter on your vaccuum.. we sucked in and spuede out lead dust for 13

years when we were cleaning.  Do make sure all paint is covered.  Check doors, 

windows, etc,  adn keep window still and areound doors extra clean ( use that

vacc witht he hepa)  and make choices about where and how your kids play in the

house.  If your childrne are past the mouthing stage, one of the best things

youc an do is make sur ethey wash their hand well,  often throughout the day and

especially before eating.  If a all possible,  I persoanlly would move.  If you

can't educate yourself about the dangers and how to best protect your family.  

It's that low level lead that will get you.  Hope this helps,  and pleas

eexcuse the typos,  I've got something going on with my typing and I mix up

letters and spaces and stuff.

Hope thsi helps.  I would eb glad to talk with anyone who wants more info.  My

firends call me the lead Diva,  I know so much.... email me priviately and we

can make a plan to talk,  I talk better and faster than I type.

 

Good luck everyone!

 

Ellen

Mom to Emma