https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 05 Jun 2026 03:47:12 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elevated-lead-levels/page/2#post-1856732 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 14:53:35 +0000 BadgerMom 1856732@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Tested our bathtub yesterday... Definitely came out pink. I guess that bathroom is now on the top of the remodel list. We'll probably go the reglazing route. I was hoping we were clear since it's a Kohler tub that doesn't look that old, but guess not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elevated-lead-levels/page/2#post-1856628 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 13:59:27 +0000 sarahbee 1856628@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've learned a lot about lead poisoning following this site: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LeadSafeAmerica" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/LeadSafeAmerica</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elevated-lead-levels#post-1856544 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 13:26:51 +0000 catomd00 1856544@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lizzywiz: in my state, you have to get tested at 1 year and again at 2 years I believe if you live in certain zip codes. We do and our house was built in the 70's I am now freaking out!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elevated-lead-levels#post-1856537 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 13:23:42 +0000 Jess1483 1856537@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lizzywiz: I asked my ped and it's not routine here either. Our house was built in 1978, which is the last year you're supposed to worry about. She isn't worried at all and doesn't think we need to test him. She said houses in the 30's to 50's are the biggest concern. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elevated-lead-levels#post-1856470 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 12:59:54 +0000 lizzywiz 1856470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skibobrown: @Mamaof2: Wow- not routine in our neck of the woods! LO is 28 months and Dr. hasn't said/ asked word 1 about lead. Definitely following up! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elevated-lead-levels#post-1856456 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 12:54:34 +0000 Mamaof2 1856456@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lizzywiz: for us it was a routine test at the 1 yr well exam- everyone gets it </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elevated-lead-levels#post-1856454 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 12:53:42 +0000 skibobrown 1856454@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lizzywiz: If you have an old house, you should probably get your child's levels tested. I told our pediatrician that we live in an old house, and now she tests DD at every check-up appointment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elevated-lead-levels#post-1856376 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 12:28:24 +0000 lizzywiz 1856376@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sketchbook: can I ask why you had your toddler's levels tested? Were there signs?<br /> We live in an old house and I think I need to follow up on this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elevated-lead-levels#post-1856302 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 12:01:27 +0000 Mrs. Detour 1856302@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Look at the laws in your state and municipality. In many, it's on the landlord to fix any lead problems and you are protected from retaliation when it's time to renew your lease. It's common where I am for landlords to ask you to sign a lead waiver saying there are no kids in the house, but it's an unenforceable document since your right to a lead-free home is non-waivable. </p> <p>And if you need a nuclear option, there is always complaining to the landlord's insurance company. Landlords often carry insurance to protect them from damages should any tenant or former tenant win a lead-related lawsuit. Since the insurance company has skin in the game, they often have the right to hire contractors to fix a problem if the landlord won't fix it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elevated-lead-levels#post-1856262 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 11:42:25 +0000 MrsMccarthy 1856262@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband said you should absolutely coat the bathtub with the most water resistant paint that you can find and a few coats. If it starts to flake off don't sand it but very gently peel off using a scraper the section that comes loose and discard it then put a new layer of paint on. He also said that even if you stop bathing your son I that tub if you don't coat it you will track lead all over the house everytime you use it. He said to scrub the floors top to bottom then and that you should continue to check the house because he highly doubts that the tub is the only area if your sons leeks are high. Have the water checked out too so you can find out if its in the pipes. </p> <p>Good luck!!! I'm so sorry that you are going through this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elevated-lead-levels#post-1854124 Mon, 08 Sep 2014 21:40:39 +0000 Radish 1854124@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sketchbook: Our old bathtub in our rental was re-coated twice in the 3 years we lived there and it just didn't hold (would flake off) up even though we let it cure for over twice as long as the recommended time. It was rental workers who did it, so maybe they didn't do it correctly, but just a warning. We just used our primo eurobath because I never wanted LO directly in that tub. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elevated-lead-levels#post-1854120 Mon, 08 Sep 2014 21:34:05 +0000 BadgerMom 1854120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't be heart broken! Be glad you found something! And actually I think this might be easier for the landlord to take care of than windows or every inch of trim in the house. A bathtub is certainly replaceable or it can be covered with a fiberglass tub shell which would solve the problem.</p> <p>We have an old cast iron tub that I will definitely be testing ASAP. DH said they never mentioned tubs when he was working at the health department we never thought to test it when we were testing all our paint. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elevated-lead-levels#post-1854118 Mon, 08 Sep 2014 21:31:03 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 1854118@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsMccarthy: I don't think it is removeable! It would be a huge reno project and this is just a rental so I doubt the landlord will do it. It is an old iron tub and to take it out would be a huge PITA. Possibly resurfacing it would work but then I would have to make the judgement call about whether or not that was sufficient. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elevated-lead-levels#post-1854112 Mon, 08 Sep 2014 21:20:25 +0000 MrsMccarthy 1854112@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sketchbook: oh just saw that you found the bathtub!! Have you checked your water yet? It can e in the pipes. You can probably replace or encase the bathtub. I'll ask my husband! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elevated-lead-levels#post-1854111 Mon, 08 Sep 2014 21:19:40 +0000 MrsMccarthy 1854111@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Okay I spoke to my husband and he basically said that with any lead based paint its just bet to make sure it's encased. Other than that he said lead based dust will usually disperse pretty quickly. The areas you want to check are your pipes and your windowsills. He also said to use wet and disposable rags to clean all surfaces floors windows and such. You can easily have your water tested for lead by finding a local lab and collect and sending them a sample (it's not expensive) and the city you live in may even cover the cost or test for you. Another thing he mentioned is to check all of your dishes and pottery and make sure you aren't using anything old that could contain lead. Good luck my dear! Let me know of I can ask him any specific questions for you!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elevated-lead-levels#post-1854080 Mon, 08 Sep 2014 20:45:16 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 1854080@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsBadger: We found the (a?) culprit...the bathtub tested positive with a home kit. We are going to check the baseboards, but it seems like this may be the answer. His utentils checked out fine.</p> <p>I'm a little heartbroken because I don't know how we can fix this :crying: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elevated-lead-levels#post-1854042 Mon, 08 Sep 2014 19:56:05 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 1854042@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsBadger: Thank you so much for this info! I pray it isn't this house, because we love it and are just maxed out with the stress right now. My husband is a lawyer and has like, no hobbies at all! Well, he did before he had kids. My LO does like to climb all over the riding mower and is constantly taking the batteries out of the TV remote. </p> <p>We did notice the baseboards are looking pretty rough/old.</p> <p>Also did I mention he drinks out of a camping mug I got at goodwill? The enamel coated kind? I'm praying that is the culprit since it is an easy fix. My hubs is at Home Depot right now getting a kit.</p> <p>There are people in Atlanta (nearest big city) that do lead inspections. Would they be better or worse than the health department? I am sure the HD would be cheaper! </p> <p>Thanks so much for talking this through with your husband! We are stumped. My test comes back Wednesday and maybe that will give us more of an idea of what is going on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elevated-lead-levels#post-1854027 Mon, 08 Sep 2014 19:44:24 +0000 BadgerMom 1854027@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I asked DH to brainstorm after you said you had new windows, no remodeling, etc. He said the usual things they look at are house (inside and outside paint, water, pipe fittings...), hobbies (model cars, stained glass...), vocation (what does your DH do?, something to do with mechanics, ammo, batteries, electronics...), where does LO spend time other than home (outside, grandparents...)</p> <p>DH said to contact your public health department and see if they will come do an environmental assessment of your house. There really isn't anything your landlord can do until they find the cause, and it may not be the house. Since you just moved in in July there is a good chance this house has nothing to do with it. Lead exposure is cumulative so LO may have been exposed to the culprit over a good chunk of time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elevated-lead-levels#post-1854017 Mon, 08 Sep 2014 19:39:40 +0000 ladybee 1854017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sketchbook: I know what I'll be doing this weekend! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elevated-lead-levels#post-1854009 Mon, 08 Sep 2014 19:33:46 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 1854009@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ladybee: you can! Although I think it will permanently stain the portion you test, but it is worth it to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elevated-lead-levels#post-1854008 Mon, 08 Sep 2014 19:33:11 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 1854008@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@FLnative12: he uses the Gerber ones with the silicone handles! Hubs is going out to get a test kit tonight and we will test for sure! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elevated-lead-levels#post-1853991 Mon, 08 Sep 2014 19:08:06 +0000 FLnative12 1853991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What kind of eating utensils does LO use? I read an article in Parents Magazine (I think) not too long ago about elevated lead levels a family was dealing with traced back to the cheap silverware they were all using. Kind of random, and of course I can't find the link...but maybe worth checking out? Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elevated-lead-levels#post-1853964 Mon, 08 Sep 2014 18:52:48 +0000 ladybee 1853964@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sketchbook: can you test your tub? Ours is old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elevated-lead-levels#post-1853948 Mon, 08 Sep 2014 18:41:47 +0000 pinkb 1853948@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sketchbook: She does not. We stayed with her for a week and it made me paranoid! The paint and tub she doesnt worry about, but she always lets the water run before using it out of the tap. She lives by herself so there is no worry about kids or anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elevated-lead-levels#post-1853922 Mon, 08 Sep 2014 18:07:32 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 1853922@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pinkb: oh my! Does she get her levels checked? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elevated-lead-levels#post-1853886 Mon, 08 Sep 2014 17:33:03 +0000 pinkb 1853886@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My sister owns a old house that has lead pipes as well as paint and tub. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elevated-lead-levels#post-1853867 Mon, 08 Sep 2014 17:12:19 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 1853867@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm at home now. Honestly none of the trim around the windows or doors looks original to the house. And the doors themselves aren't even painted, just stained. We will check tonight with a test, but I also came across this...</p> <p><a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/news/local-news/20131019-old-bathtubs-found-to-pose-lead-exposure-risks-for-children.ece" rel="nofollow">http://www.dallasnews.com/news/local-news/20131019-old-bathtubs-found-to-pose-lead-exposure-risks-for-children.ece</a></p> <p>This is very interesting! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elevated-lead-levels#post-1853852 Mon, 08 Sep 2014 17:01:35 +0000 maddyz 1853852@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Other places to look are the yard either at home or maybe even at the park. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elevated-lead-levels#post-1853832 Mon, 08 Sep 2014 16:50:49 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 1853832@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsBadger: what about water? The windows have been replaced and are double paned aluminum so I'm thinking they aren't an issue? Plus we haven't opened them. </p> <p>Could it be the bath tub? It is probably original to the home..</p> <p>This house is a rental so we can get the landlord to do something to help us, if the damage is not too extensive.</p> <p>Could it be that I got him some enamelware cups from a thrift store? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elevated-lead-levels#post-1853816 Mon, 08 Sep 2014 16:37:08 +0000 FliegepilzHut 1853816@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sketchbook: I suppose it would also be reasonable to take a hard look at any toy recalls that might affect your household. Just in case... </p>