FLUORIDE INCREASES LEAD ABSORPTION

A new study published in the February issue of "Toxicology" (Sawan, et al., 2010) confirms earlier research that fluoride added to public water supplies increases the amount of lead absorbed in bones, teeth and blood. Low level lead exposure is especially dangerous to children, as it affects their developing neurological systems increasing the risk of developing learning disabilities, ADHD, behaviour problems, lowered IQ and autism.


The reasoning behind adding fluoride to water is that it prevents tooth decay. The use of fluoride in public water supplies is riddled with controversy as some believe that it causes various health problems and increased child mortality. Over ninety international organizations, including "the big players" such as the World Health Organization, the US Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada, approve the use of fluoride as an additive in public water supplies. Almost 70% of American population and 45% of Canadians drink fluoridated water daily.


How does fluoridation of your drinking water increase the lead levels? In at least two ways. Firstly, the additive used to fluoridate your water is an industrial grade chemical (hydrofluosilicic acid) that is recovered from wet scrubbers during the production of a phosphate fertilizer and it is usually contaminated with lead. Secondly, this very same chemical increases serum lead levels which in turn boosts the amount of lead stored in the brain, bones and teeth.


What can you do to protect your family from this completely preventable lead exposure? In the long run, you can petition your local legislation to stop water fluoridation with hydrofluosilicic acid. In the meantime, make sure that you use an appropriate water filtration system in your home. If you would like to find out if there is lead in your water, there are a few possibilities: there may be a free water testing program in the municipality or county where you live, your local water supplier might be able to do the testing, or you can hire a provincially- or state- certified laboratory. Alternatively, water testing can be done using a home test kit.

And remember: the safest amount of lead is no lead at all!



Joanna Cerazy

co-author Lead Babies

LEAD ALERT!

WARNING: REUSABLE GROCERY BAGS MAY CONTAIN LEAD

Thorton Laboratories (USA) has recently found concentrations of  LEAD in reusable shopping bags. More than half of the bags tested from approximately 25 different manufacturers had levels of lead ranging from 5 to 100 ppm.

SHOULD I BE CONCERNED?

Yes. The bags of concern have been distributed in both Canada and the US. Stop using your reusable grocery bags until you have determined they are 100% lead free. Remember, there is no safe level of lead!

HOW DO IN KNOW IF MY BAG IS SAFE?

First check where it was made. If it was made in China, the risk of it containing lead is much higher. Reusable bags with elaborate illustrations are likely to contain higher levels of lead. Yellow and green paints often contain higher levels of lead. Other bright colours should be a cause for concern and investigation as well. If in doubt, do not use your bag. Wash you hands well after handling.

CAN I CHECK FOR LEAD?

Absolutely. Use a home lead test kit and follow the instructions carefully. The LEAD-FREE STORE has the best selection of test kits available. They are inexpensive and ship in just a few days.

MY BAG CONTAINS LEAD. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Please do not throw your bag in the garbage where the lead will leach back into the earth when it reaches the landfill, or may become lead vapour if incinerated. Secure the reusable bag in an airtight plastic bag, and if possible, return it to the store where it was purchased. You are justified in a request for a refund, but the real purpose is to put the responsibility of dealing with the dangerous product back in the hands of the person who sold it you, while sending a clear message about the product safety standard you expect as a consumer.

WHERE CAN I GET A LEAD-FREE REUSABLE BAG?

Check with your retailer and ask specifically for “lead-free”.                                                     Or... here is a quick link to the LEAD-FREE STORE where you can order                       lead-free reusable grocery bags on-line.

For more information on lead, visit www.enoughlead.com .

NEW RENOVATION, REPAIR and PAINTING RULE

Last month, on Earth Day, April 22, the Environmental Protection Agency implemented a new regulation called the Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule. This new regulation requires that contractors who work on houses that were built before 1978 register their companies and complete an eight-hour training and certification course. The course aims to teach contractors how to safely remove and contain lead during home renovations.
Lead was used in paint as pigment, to speed the drying process, increase durability, and promote erosion. Despite the fact that in 1978 the limit of lead in interior paint has been lowered to 0.06 percent, lead paint still abounds in older houses where it was originally applied. Removing lead-containing paint can cost tens of thousands of dollars per single dwelling. According to an EPA report, it would cost fifty-eight billion dollars to remove leaded paint across the United States.

It is critical to be aware of the potential presence of lead in paint. If your house was built before 1978, it should be assumed that it contains lead in at least some of its areas. Testing can be done to find out exactly where the lead is by using a lead test kit.
The Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule does not apply to homeowners doing their own painting or contractors who are painting over old paint. On the other hand, any individual or firm that provide renovation services for compensation need to follow the new regulations. This includes landlords who perform renovations themselves, contractors, window replacement contractors and home renovation companies, as well as painters, electricians, maintenance workers, and plumbers.

Joanna Cerazy

Co-author of Lead Babies