title: Is Central Europe Safe from Environmental Lead Intoxications? A Case Series.
abstract: Preventive measures in Central Europe were successful in suppressing both occupational and environmental lead exposure so that they did not constitute a severe public health problem. However, rare lead intoxications still appear. We report on lead intoxication in four family members where the source was removed lead ceiling paint. The symptoms of the lead intoxication started several weeks after removal and the inhalational exposure to the minimum dust residues lasted for more than three months before the poisoning was diagnosed. Father developed anaemia and saturnine colics. He and his two daughters received antidotal treatment which had to be repeated in the children. Finally, all recovered completely.Lead intoxication may be easily overlooked due to the unspecific symptoms. It is necessary to think of this rare poisoning which may be caused by old paints, historical ceramics and lead shots, in addition to commercial products imported from abroad.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Medicine, First Medical Faculty, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pelclová
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University and Faculty Hospital Brno, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Šťastná
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Medicine, First Medical Faculty, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Štěpánka
authors.initials: Š
authors.lastname: Vlčková
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Medicine, First Medical Faculty, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Kamil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vlček
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Medicine, First Medical Faculty, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Urban
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Medicine, First Medical Faculty, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laštovková
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University and Faculty Hospital Brno, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Zdeněk
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Doležel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018153:Czech Republic; D004285:Dogs; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D010150:Paint / Q000032:analysis*
keywords: diagnosis; intoxication; lead; paints; prevention; treatment