"Important. Urgent. Practical. Very, very, useful". -- Jonathan Kozol, author of Amazing Grace

"Lead poisoning is one of the most common and preventable pediatric health problems today". US Centers for Disease Control

Between one and a half to two million children under the age of six -- one out of eleven American preschoolers -- have elevated levels of lead in their blood, a condition that can cause damage to their developing brains, resulting in learning disabilities, behavior problems, and decreased IQs. A severe problem that affects not only children from our poorest neighborhoods but also those from many middle- and upper-income families, lead poisoning is most often caused by the lead-based paint that is present on the walls, woodwork and facades of 75% of all American homes built before 1989 -- 57 million US homes and apartments.

Getting The Lead Out: The Complete Resource on How to Prevent and Cope with Lead Poisoning is the first comprehensive, action-oriented book on this compelling health issue. It defines and elaborates on the major sources of lead in the home and environment, medical concerns, prevention strategies, and techniques for controlling lead hazards, while offering advice to parents and homeowners on where to turn should their child -- or home -- be found to have high lead levels.

Lead poisoning is one of the most common and preventable pediatric health problems in the United States. The prohibition of lead in paint in 1978, followed by the phasing out of lead in gasoline, have done a great deal to lower the average level of lead in children's blood in the last twenty-five years, but the threat to public health of this insidious poison is far from being eradicated. Every child is at risk.Getting the Lead Out explains the nature and sources of lead poisoning and discusses the basic measures for minimizing the associated risks and damage. It also explains the physical and emotional effects of lead poisoning, including problems with language-acquisition and other learning disabilities, reduced IQ, renal failure, and antisocial and violent behavior. This book gives readers the information they will need to identify symptoms of poisoning in their children as well as lists of resources addressing each special need that may emerge due to exposure. It also includes guidelines for community organizing around the issue and instructions for suing for personal injury.