Like most adults who have been lead poisoned, I didn’t notice any symptoms. I was flagged by my naturopath eight years ago because a blood sample indicated I had mild to moderately decreased kidney function, a sign of heavy metal toxicity. After taking a urine heavy metal challenge test in 2014, I tested negative for toxic metals—except lead. My lead levels were off the charts.
After some research, I concluded the lead came from breathing air emissions from the pulp and paper plant two blocks from where I lived for the first 18 years of my life in northern Ontario. I had no idea, until I encountered Tamara Rubin’s (Lead Safe Mama) research, that most North American residents are constantly being bombarded by lead in their everyday lives, not only from air particulates but from paint chips, contaminated soil, water pipes, and lead-glazed pottery and China. Even some foods are known to contain high quantities of this known carcinogen.
