Lead Poisoning Support Group
Lead poisoning is a medical condition, also known as saturnism, plumbism or painter's colic, caused by increased blood serum lead levels. The symptoms of lead poisoning include neurological problems, such as reduced IQ, nausea, abdominal pain, irritability, insomnia, excess lethargy or hyperactivity, headache and, in extreme cases, seizure and coma. There are also...
Hello,
My sister and her family purchased a home in NY about 3 years ago, and it wasn't tested for lead, unfortunately. Recently (a couple weeks ago) my 6 y/o niece was tested positive for severe lead poisoning - level 34 (level 35 being brain damage, leading to death.) Since then it has been very stressful in trying to find help. They were just given two weeks to remove all of the lead from the home. The cheapest possible way is going to be $3,000.00. Which is something that they can not afford. However if its not paid off within (12 days now) they will be charged with child neglect and the kids will be sent to social services...even if they are not living in the home. It doesn't make sense and its not fair. She's looked in the phone book and called everywhere looking for even just a payment plan, but has come up with nothing. It's depressing and very stressful. My niece has autism and ingested the lead. If anyone has any ideas, it'd be very helpful. We're at the point where it seems hopeless. People who abuse their children get less punishment than someone who is doing everything they possibly can for their children. It's not right.
My sister and her family purchased a home in NY about 3 years ago, and it wasn't tested for lead, unfortunately. Recently (a couple weeks ago) my 6 y/o niece was tested positive for severe lead poisoning - level 34 (level 35 being brain damage, leading to death.) Since then it has been very stressful in trying to find help. They were just given two weeks to remove all of the lead from the home. The cheapest possible way is going to be $3,000.00. Which is something that they can not afford. However if its not paid off within (12 days now) they will be charged with child neglect and the kids will be sent to social services...even if they are not living in the home. It doesn't make sense and its not fair. She's looked in the phone book and called everywhere looking for even just a payment plan, but has come up with nothing. It's depressing and very stressful. My niece has autism and ingested the lead. If anyone has any ideas, it'd be very helpful. We're at the point where it seems hopeless. People who abuse their children get less punishment than someone who is doing everything they possibly can for their children. It's not right.
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My 6mo twin DD's are EBF and just started rice cereal on the first. Everything has been going fine except this morning one of them had a diaper rash (lots of redness around her anus). I read this as one of the signs of an allergy. BUT I did just buy a different brand diaper yesterday (which they have used randomly before w/no issues). Do you think its the cereal or the diaper? Im ready to start...
I seriously doubt the Health Department can make most people comply within 2 weeks, even those with means. You have probably found this by now, but very few contractors can complete the work, let alone draw up the contract within two weeks of your contacting with them! If it is such a National Priority to take care of our kids (and it should, I believe, be so) provide us with a working system, otherwise reasonable demands. In our case, the Health Department gave us time extensions when we provided the names of contractors we were talking with, and in the end they accepted the 2 months (the earliest est. completion date of the 3 contractors we considered!) our contractor required for the job. It was a more extensive job, but what I'm saying is the Health Department, if staffed by human beings, will work with you. Ask them also if they can provide you with any information about programs (e.g., foundations, nonprofits, or government funds of some source) that can help people like your sister as these are not all always advertised. The last place I would suggest your sister look for financial help is charities that help people in need. And pray, and do some activism, for meaningful government problem solving on the issue. In my opinion without some courageous leadership 30yrs down your story will echo, and echo.
Bottom line is it is tough, so so tough. And you know as a parent or relative you're thinking "Oh, this is this person's, who is a precious part of my family's, whole life we're talking about!" And you're asking yourself if that life has been ruined or compromised because of the d**n house. Just hang in there and know that you're not alone. You all will make it through this tough patch, just as others on this site have, and your niece we'll be her own special person, whoever that is. Think: From this moment forward...