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Here's our family's story and the path we took to help Mark recover from lead poisoning and some learning issues. Read Mark's Story
The first step is to test your dishes with a lead test kit. A lead test kit can be purchased in the paint department of many hardware stores. The can also be ordered directly from the manufacturer at www.leadcheck.com/lead-summary.shtml. This particular lead kit is very easy to use. You simply squeeze the end together to release the gel and rub it onto your plates. If it turns pink, your plates have lead. This does not mean it exceeds the FDA levels, it simply means that they contain lead and depending on your eating, microwaving, and dishwashing habits, you may want to replace them. There is some disagreement regarding the validity of home test kits for cadmium, however the manufacturers of CadmiumCheckª have had the performance of their cadmium kit tested proving the validity of the kits. This test works the same way as the lead test kit and is easy to use. Both the kits and the study can be found at http://www.leadcheck.com/CadmiumCheckSwab.shtml.
Positive Test Results
If your lead test is positive, consider replacing your dinnerware. There is a color chart for the lead test kit available at http://www.leadcheck.com/ColorChart.shtml. If your dinnerware exceeds the FDA limit, contact the FDA. A list of FDA offices with contact information can be found at http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/district.html. If you live in California and suspect your dinnerware exceed prop 65 levels, contact the Attorney General at 510-873-6321.
Your family should be screened for toxicity and if found follow your practitioners guidelines for chelation. Chelation is the use of a substance to bind and retain molecules of metals or minerals so they can be removed from the body. The FDA recommends DMSA as a chelator (provoking agent) for lead. There are also natural products such as zeolites, far-infrared saunas, and supplements that can be effective.
Although focus is primarily aimed at lower income families, everyone is at risk and children should be screened annually. Screenings should include blood, urine, feces, and hair. Blood levels indicate recent acute exposure while hair and provoked urine and feces test can give an indication of chronic exposure.
Shopping for Replacement Tableware
When shopping for replacement dishes bring lead test kits with you to the stores and test them prior to purchasing them. Generally, plain white dishes manufactured in the U.S are a safe bet. You should avoid purchasing dishes with decorations over the glaze as they rub off easier than decorations under the glaze.
Fiesta Dinnerware by The Homer Laughlin China Company is lead free and can be purchased on-line. IKEA also carries several selections of lead-free and cadmium free dinnerware.
The Environmental Defense Organization has information on their website regarding purchasing safe dishes including a list of low level lead tableware.
1. 2004, Society of Glass and Ceramic Decorators "Lead and Other Heavy Metals: Where Does the Decorating Industry Stand?"
2. http://www.oznet.k-state.edu/humannutrition/_fndigest/1995/mayjun95.htm#t3
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6. http://www.cchealth.org/topics/lead_poison/pdf/ceramics.pdf
7. http://www.dhs.ca.gov/childlead/tableware/twinfo.html
8. http://www.oehha.ca.gov/public_info/public/kids/pdf/PbHGV44_010507.pdf
9. http://www.dhs.ca.gov/childlead/html/chld_rsk.html
10. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1370/is_v21/ai_5117848/pg_3
11. Hallaway, Nancy, RN and Strauts, Zigurts, MD Turning Lead into Gold: How Heavy Metal Poisoning Can Affect Your Child and How to Prevent and Treat It, 1995.
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