Lead poisoning originates from exposure to a lead contaminated environment. This contamination is most frequently in the form of lead based paint. A child will become lead poisoned from ingesting chips of lead paint (pica), by inhaling lead dust or ingesting soil or water contaminated by lead. Once in the human body, lead quickly becomes absorbed by bone. With significant lead absorption, white horizontal lines will form, radiographically, in bone.
Lead poisoning is most frequently seen in children between the ages of 1 and 2 years old when they are actively exploring their environment. It is this time that they start to crawl and are potentially exposed to lead based paint. For the above reasons it is not surprising that peak blood lead levels in children are seen at 18 months of age. Paint chips taste very sweet and once ingested, children will continue to eat them until they are discovered to be lead poisoned and remediation steps are taken. Early symptoms of lead poisoning are non specific, including irritability, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Chronic lead poisoning results in continuous insult to the brain which causes hyperactivity, decreased I.Q., poor school performance, and, eventually a greater chance the child will drop out of school. Chronic, as applied to lead poisoning, refers to the ongoing nature (relatively small amounts of lead taken in over a prolonged period) of the lead entering the body. This is distinguished from acute lead poisoning which would imply a large amount of lead intake over a relatively short time.
Lead poisoning medical expert witness specialties include toxicology, occupational medicine, neurology, pediatric neurology, neuropsychology, pediatric endocrinology, radiology, and reproductive toxicology.