By Sue Loughlin
TERRE HAUTE — When Danette Monson first learned that her son Garin had high lead levels in his blood, she wasn’t too concerned.
After all, older generations had grown up with lead “and they all seemed fine and they were exposed to it a lot more,” she said.
Still, she and husband Christian immediately began taking the measures recommended by the Vigo County Health Department to lower her son’s lead levels and also to abate lead hazards in their older, Collett Park home.
She’s glad they did.
Later that year, Monson noticed her son was having a lot of developmental problems.
“It really started to concern me” and she realized there might be a connection between some of his developmental delays and the lead levels, she said.
Garin had tested at age 21⁄2 and his lead level was 13. A child with a test result of 10 or above is considered to be lead poisoned and the Vigo County Health Department gets involved.
Garin, now age 4, has been tested several times and in his most recent test, he was 5.1. Monson is confident her son will be well below that with the next testing.
She’s grateful that their physician recommended the blood testing, and she praised the assistance offered by the health department.
An environmental health specialist conducted a lead risk assessment of the Monson’s home and told them how the lead hazards could be abated. A childhood lead prevention nurse liaison educated the family on health issues and how to lower lead levels.
For example, they made dietary changes to include more red meat and such vegetables as cabbage, broccoli and spinach.
The nurse explained that Garin would have to test regularly until his lead level was less than 5.
The Monsons also received information about developmental programs for their son, and today, he attends a pre-school program through Covered Bridge Special Education District.
“He’s doing great,” Monson said.
The couple’s home was built in 1904, and much of the problem was due to the windows’ wooden frames that had lead-based paint on them. The couple would put box fans in the windows that spread the lead dust around.
Christian initially tried to take care of the windows himself, but the Monsons eventually obtained a government grant that enabled them to replace their windows.
They also replaced the front and back doors, which had peeling lead paint.
The back yard had a lot of exposed soil that the children liked to play in — and unfortunately, Garin liked to eat it when he was younger. The soil had a lot of lead in it.
The Monsons covered part of the exposed soil with a patio, and they also put sand in the backyard for the children to play in.
Fortunately, their home had siding so they didn’t have to worry about lead paint on their exterior walls.
The couple has two other children, Katelin, who is now age 6, and Azabelle, who is now 2. At age one month, Azabelle tested at level 5 for lead; she was tested three more times and is now below level 1. Initial testing of Katelin did not show any reason for concern, Monson said.
Monson recommends that if families live in an older home, they have their children tested for lead and educate themselves on how to reduce and eliminate lead hazards.
Bland said that no level of lead in the bloodstream is normal. Even low lead levels can cause permanent damage.
Long-term effects can include learning disabilities; decreased growth; hyperactivity; a lower IQ; speech, language and behavior problems; impaired hearing; and nervous system and kidney damage.
A lot of times children show no symptoms.
Last year, Vigo County as a whole (including both the Vigo County Health Department clinic, physicians offices, etc.) tested 1,597 children 6 and under for lead poisoning. That reflects the initial lead testing and also follow-up testing.
Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com
