Lead poisoning in adults from renovation of an older home.

Presented is the case of a group exposure to lead occurring during the removal of lead-based paint from an older home. One patient had symptoms from the time of exposure to the time of presentation, when he was acutely ill and encephalopathic. The patient was treated successfully with an initial course of British Anti-Lewisite agent and calcium disodium versenate (CaEDTA) chelation, and two subsequent chelations with CaE-DTA alone. The other two patients had elevated lead levels but were asymptomatic. They were followed closely, and their lead levels steadily declined over several months. The evaluation and treatment of lead poisoning and excessive lead levels in adults is discussed, as is the need for physicians and the lay public to become aware of the hazards of renovating older homes.