Lead is a Silent Hazard [Paperback]

Richard M. Stapleton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1995

Called "the most serious pollution problem facing children" by The New York Times (4/16/94), lead poisoning could still be acquired from 75 percent of the homes in America. Now, this first-of-its-kind guide covers all possible sources of lead to inform parents and other consumers. Written by a former CBS News environmental writer whose own son was poisoned by lead.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This is an enlightening and terrifying look at lead poisoning among children, and it will completely destroy the false notion that the problem is confined to the poor or uneducated. While researching a segment on the effects of lead poisoning upon children, the author, a former CBS news producer, decided to have his baby son tested. He assumed that "everything was normal," Stapleton writes. "But it wasn't. Our little boy was slowly being poisoned." The Centers for Disease Control believe that as many as one-sixth of all children harbor unacceptably high levels of lead in their blood, while 10,000 more are being poisoned each year by the imperceptible toxin. (Even Millie, the First Dog, came down with lead poisoning during the Bush administration.) Stapleton reveals that lead lurks not only on the windowsills of a bedroom or in the dirt of a backyard but also in school water coolers?and in the dishes and mugs that rest on a dinner table. But the news is not all bad: lead poisoning, as Stapleton observes, is preventable, and he discusses how to avert it by identifying sources of lead and then taking precautions to avoid contamination, such as covering sandboxes.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Thorough research, careful attention to detail, and clear, concise writing make this resource on the health effects of lead exposure important for parents and useful to health professionals, teachers, and child-care workers. Stapleton starts with a review of lead exposure's short- and long-term effects, such as learning disabilities and behavioral problems, and guidelines for testing and treatment. The bulk of the text consists of in-depth descriptions of major sources of lead contamination: deteriorating lead paint, often released during remodeling or mismanaged lead abatement; soil contaminated by lead paint fragments; drinking water; china; crystal; and food-storage containers; occupational, hobby, and crafts hazards; and such unexpected "Trojan horses" as antiques, Christmas ornaments, and home remedies. Although the ubiquity of contaminated materials and the thoughtfulness required to be alert to every potential hazard are daunting, parents will find reassurance in the effective, practical techniques for preventing exposure Stapleton outlines for each hazard. Appendixes cover sources for testing kits, government assistance, recall lists, and current legislation. Kathryn Carpenter --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Walker & Company; 1 edition (February 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802774490
• ISBN-13: 978-0802774491
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,240,922 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must-have if your child is lead poisoned, June 12, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Lead is a Silent Hazard (Paperback)

This book was recommended to me by a local govt. housing worker, and it's EXCELLENT. It will scare you into action, but gives practical advice and lots of information that you just can't seem to find elsewhere. As the author says, while most lead poisoned children come from low-income housing, those with the worst lead poisoning tend to be from middle-income families living in an older home that has been or is being renovated. It's too bad that most kids are never tested for lead.