--- title: What To Do If You Have Lead Poisoning description: For more severe cases of lead poisoning, your doctor may recommend treatments such as Chelation therapy or EDTA therapy. image: https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-16135686-jpg/images/unsure_guy-wr.jpg --- [![Shawn McCadden](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/hub/81069/file-1539748069.jpg)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/) # Welcome to RRPedia Your Interactive Resource for EPA RRP Information ## ![RRPedia logo](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-1549005086-jpg/images/RRPedia_Logosmall_-wr-1.jpg)Looking for accurate information about the EPA RRP rule? RRPedia has been created by Shawn McCadden to help remodelers and others affected by the New EPA Renovation Repair and Painting Rule.  ## Please read *[RRPedia Use and Contribution Information](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/using-and-contributing-to-rrpedia-/) *before using or contributing to RRPedia.   --- # You Can Browse For RRP Topics By Using The Tags List To The Right ## [What To Do If You Have Lead Poisoning](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/rrpedia/bid/48935/What-To-Do-If-You-Have-Lead-Poisoning) Posted by [Shawn McCadden](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/rrpedia/author/shawn-mccadden) on Thu, Oct 28, 2010 @ 07:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ## **What To Do If You Have Been Poisoned by Lead** ![Worker with Lead Poisoning](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-16135686-jpg/images/unsure_guy-wr.jpg)Many RRPedia users, attendees of my seminars about the RRP Rule and a few others at several RRP workshops I have participated at have asked what should be done if someone has been poisoned by lead.  Perhaps you might even know a carpenter poisoned by lead.  I am not an expert in this area but thought it would be helpful to do some research and offer some guidance on what to do if affected by lead poisoning. You can find out about the symptoms of lead poisoning by reading this [previous post](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/rrpedia/bid/39596/WHAT-ARE-THE-SIGNS-OF-LEAD-POISONING).  However, keep in mind that the only way to know for sure if someone has been poisoned by lead and at what level would be a blood test.   If you do RRP work it would be a good idea to consider asking your doctor to test for lead the next time you visit with him or her.   If after reading about the symptoms of lead you are concerned that you might already be poisoned by lead, contact your doctor right away. According to the [Mayo Clinic Web site](http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/lead-poisoning/FL00068/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs), the first step that should be taken if someone has been found to have lead poisoning is to remove the source of the contamination. The clinic also suggests that if you can't remove lead from your environment, you may at least be able to reduce the likelihood that it will cause problems. One option to reduce lead exposure would be sealing the surface to cover and prevent direct contact with, rather than remove lead paint. ![Chelation Therapy treatment for Lead Poisoning](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-15736494-jpg/images/chelation_therapy-wr.jpg)Lead poisoning occurs in children and adults when lead builds up in their bodies, often over months or years. It is important to know that even small amounts of lead can cause serious health problems and possibly long term effects. Children under the age of 6 are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning, but adults, particularly those who do RRP related work can suffer serious consequences due to long term and or multiple exposures.  At very high levels of exposure, lead poisoning can be fatal. For children and adults with relatively low blood lead levels, simply avoiding any additional exposure to lead may be enough to reduce levels and avoid long term consequences. ![EDTA for treating lead poisoning](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-15752716-jpg/images/edta_bottle-wr.jpg)For more severe cases of lead poisoning, your doctor may recommend treatments such as Chelation therapy or EDTA therapy.  Chelation therapy is a treatment that includes taking a medication that binds with the lead in your body and is eventually excreted in your urine.  EDTA therapy is typically used for more serious cases.  This treatment includes treating the patient’s blood with a chemical called ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Depending on the patient’s blood lead level, more than one treatment may be required. Unfortunately, in severe cases, it may not be possible to reverse damage that has already occurred.  Children with lead toxicity may also be iron deficient and can be treated with iron supplements. Topics: [Health Effects of Lead](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/rrpedia/topic/health-effects-of-lead) [![cs-ye-234x16](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/hub/81069/file-1553381212.gif)](http://www.copyscape.com/duplicate-content/) ### Subscribe to RRPedia by Email and get notified about new postings as soon as they happen! ### Are You Documenting Yor Crew's Compliance With The RRP Rule?  [![download free RRP checklist](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/81069/dd6aace9-6cb0-4ad2-a55a-09846d7f5b5e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/81069/dd6aace9-6cb0-4ad2-a55a-09846d7f5b5e) ### Still Using a Yellow Pad for Your Estimating? 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[Worker Training (15)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/rrpedia/topic/worker-training) ### I just wanted to say thank you for your efforts to keep us informed.  *"Thank you again for the hundreth time for keeping a vigil on this business nightmare. Your site is one of the best resources we have to stay on level ground"*  **Christian Peter**   *"I am quite impressed with all the confusion out there at Shawn McCadden’s clear and concise voice that continues to help contractors and those involved in this industry truly understand the rule. His efforts should be applauded."*  **Christopher Wagner, LBPFiles**   *"RRPedia is an accurate and contractor friendly interpretation of the very complex and confusing EPA RRP rule"* * * *"Thanks for taking the time to write the blog.  It's about the only place one can go to get some serious info on this dreadful subject"*   *"I would like to begin by thanking Shawn for all of his postings and education that he has been sharing with the remodeling industry. He has personally been extremely helpful in guiding me through various interpretations of the RRP rule, his advice and knowledge are priceless."* **Michael A. Mahoney*** * ### Suggest or Contribute a RRPedia Topic ### Want a Simple Summary of the EPA RRP? #### Shawn McCadden has created an EPA RRP Summary for Remodelers. *"Hi Shawn, **Nice RRP write up on the website.   I've already forwarded a link to it to a number of local builder types."*   #### [Click here to go to the summary.](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/epa-rrp-summary-for-remodelers-by-shawn-mccadden/)  You can also download it if you want your own copy. ### Add this widget to your Web page, blog, or social networking site. A widget is a CDC.gov application that displays the featured content directly on your web page. Click the buttons to see the next tip to prevent lead poisoning.