Should I be worried about lead poisoning?

I live in a 100 year old apartment. It's pretty well maintained, but my landlord has recently renovated. I've lived here for about 3 years. I have some very mild symptoms, but these could be symptoms of other things--such as depression, stress. Where could I go to get tested (please be specific)?

Unless it is an emergency, I wouldn't go to the emergency room. You are better off going to see your primary care physician (hopefully you have one). This can be an internist, family medical physician, etc. If you do not have a physician, you might want to consult your insurance company to see who they recommend (and who is covered). You can also ask friends/family to see who they go to. You might not have lead poisoning, but it sounds like maybe there are other issues you could discuss with a physician.

Lead is a very strong poison. When a person swallows a lead object or inhales lead dust, some of the poison can stay in the body and cause serious health problems. A single high, toxic dose of lead can cause severe emergency symptoms. However, it is more common for lead poisoning to build up slowly over time. This occurs from repeated exposure to small amounts of lead. In this case, there may not be any obvious symptoms, but the lead can still cause serious health problems over time, such as difficulty sleeping or lowered IQ in children.

Lead is found in:

* House paint before 1978. Even if the paint is not peeling, it can be a problem. Lead paint is very dangerous when it is being stripped or sanded. These actions release fine lead dust into the air. Infants and children living in pre-1960's housing (when paint often contained lead) have the highest risk of lead poisoning. Small children often swallow paint chips or dust from lead-based paint.
* Toys and furniture painted before 1976.
* Painted toys and decorations made outside the U.S.
* Lead bullets, fishing sinkers, curtain weights.
* Plumbing, pipes, faucets. Lead can be found in drinking water in homes whose pipes were connected with lead solder. While new building codes require lead-free solder, lead is still found in some modern faucets.
* Soil contaminated by decades of car exhaust or years of house paint scrapings. Thus, lead is more common in soil near highways and houses.
* Hobbies involving soldering, stained glass, jewelry making, pottery glazing, miniature lead figures (always look at labels).
* Children's paint sets and art supplies (always look at labels).
* Pewter pitchers and dinnerware.
* Storage batteries.

The symptoms of lead poisoning may include:

* Irritability
* Aggressive behavior
* Low appetite and energy
* Difficulty sleeping
* Headaches
* Reduced sensations
* Loss of previous developmental skills (in young children)
* Anemia
* Constipation
* Abdominal pain and cramping (usually the first sign of a high, toxic dose of lead poison)
* Very high levels may cause vomiting, staggering gait, muscle weakness, seizures, or coma

Except in severe cases where someone has received a high toxic dose, a trip to the emergency room is not necessary. Contact your health care provider or department of public health if you suspect possible low-level lead exposure. A blood lead test can help identify whether a problem exists. Over 10 micrograms per deciliter is a concern. In many states, blood screening is recommended for young children at risk.

Other lab tests may include:

* Iron level
* Complete blood count and coagulation studies
* Erythrocyte protoporphyrin
* Bone marrow biopsy (stippled erythroblasts)
* X-ray of the long bones and abdomen

I wouldnt be to worried, but you can go to your doctor and he will issue a prescription for blood work You can request specifically a lead test.

You would have to have inhalled the lead, most people rather than sand it off cover it up with new paint. or use a sealer specifically for lead paint