Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(2):120-122

Is Central Europe Safe from Environmental Lead Intoxications? A Case Series

Daniela Pelclová1, Jana Šťastná2, Štěpánka Vlčková1, Kamil Vlček1, Michal Urban1, Andrea Laštovková1, Zdeněk Doležel2
1 Department of Occupational Medicine, First Medical Faculty, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic
2 Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University and Faculty Hospital Brno, Czech Republic

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.

Keywords: lead, paints, intoxication, prevention, diagnosis, treatment

Received: November 23, 2015; Revised: March 26, 2016; Accepted: March 26, 2016; Published: June 1, 2016  Show citation

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Pelclová D, Šťastná J, Vlčková Š, Vlček K, Urban M, Laštovková A, Doležel Z. Is Central Europe Safe from Environmental Lead Intoxications? A Case Series. Cent Eur J Public Health. 2016;24(2):120-122. PubMed PMID: 27434242.
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