My lead levels are 10X higher than December's Consumer's Report says necessitates chelation. My detox systems are so damaged, I've had great difficulty chelating successfully.
My doc said, "How in the world did you get that much lead?" I had already checked my dishes and water.
I read that old porcelain-covered iron tubs can wear past the finish like old dishes, and hot baths to detox can actually impart lead.
There are kits to check as recommended by Consumer's Report.
Those hot baths may do more harm than good in an old tub.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
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I thought the tubs were cast iron - but I guess they could pour the enamel porcelain coating over any cast metal alloy, eh?
It will be interesting to see the test kit results.
Maybe someone who knows history of bathtubs who could help with the metal make up with the style/type of tub. There may be a brand name and some sort of distinguishing marks to identify the maker and year. Antiques Road Show - call 'em up ?
Please let us know what you find out.
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Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
Would you see it if the porcelain wore off?
The coating on our tub is white but the metal underneath is black.
Seems like it would be pretty easy to notice.
Posted by yanivnaced (Member # 13212) on :
Tub refinishing will fix that problem.
Posted by susan2health (Member # 10446) on :
It's the worn part beneath the finish on some porcelains--still white. It's like old dishes, especially if their cracked or chipped.
Refinishing I hear takes a paint that has toxic fumes, and a few plumbers have told me it lasts 6-24 months and then starts peeling. I don't know from personal experience.
Posted by luvs2ride (Member # 8090) on :
This is interesting.
In April 2005, we purchased a 115 y.o. house. In Aug 2005, migratory joint pain hit.
In Jan 2006 I was diagnosed with RA (2 LLMDS had already clinically diagnosed lyme). In April 2006, tests revealed I had 3x the highest acceptable limit of lead and the doctor said this is just the tip of the iceberg because he only used a small amount of DMSA for the test.
Some of you may remember I used to post that I could not do an Epsom Salt bath because it would cause an intense increase in joint pain. We never could figure that one out.
In April 2006, we moved to a newer home. I'm not sure how long I was here before I again attempted an Epsom Salt bath but today I am able to take these baths without problem.
The old house had clawfoot tubs and the finish seemed fine. Certainly the piping in the old house has always been suspect for lead poisoning. I never thought about soaking in the water as another source of contamination. Perhaps that is why I would hurt afterward.
Luvs
Posted by charlie (Member # 25) on :
....luvs, a 115 year old house has lead paint everywhere. Trust me, I was in construction related business for years and built our house out of used materials dating from the early 1900s.
It's not the bath tub...all the trim, doors, ect are loaded with lead paint...If you sand anything you get toxic exposure.
No telling what brain damage Jenny and I have from building this house...from now on everything just gets sealed and gone over rather than sanded.
Charlie
Posted by luvs2ride (Member # 8090) on :
Yes Charlie.
I have long suspected the lead poisoning to have come from the old house.
Luvs
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
We have had an old tub refinished .... they just pain it, there's no way to glaze it like it was originally .... and it does flake off. It's certainly not the "right" way to fix the problem. You can get a new tub that fits right over the old one .... or you can have the old one ripped out and get a new one.
It's important in old houses to keep up with flaking paint .... and remember, the old stuff has lead.