Being a caretaker is no easy job. Whether you’re the mother of a newborn, the guardian of an aging loved one, or a self-identified protector of the planet, it is natural for us as women to seek to protect what we hold dear and what we deem as important. As we navigate the jungle of harmful chemicals and toxic housing products, we must share with one another the information necessary to keep ourselves, our families, and our planet safe.

Thanks to a recent post on Femmetoxic, we are all aware of the dangers that BPA pose to us, our children, and our planet. But another toxin that greatly affects children, as well, as adults, is lead. Though not often realized to be a dangerous toxin, perhaps because of the simplicity of its name, lead can leave lasting and serious health problems behind. Older homes may contain lead in pipes, paint, soil, household dust, and even children’s toys.

In children, lead poisoning symptoms occur after ingesting lead over a long period of time. Because children tend to put objects and their hands in their mouths before washing, they are statically more susceptible to lead poisoning. Symptoms in children include stomachaches, headaches, and irritability. More severely, lead poisoning may result in liver, kidney, and brain dysfunction. It may also impair brain development and hearing. In adults, lead poisoning symptoms include memory loss, reproductive problems, and muscle and joint discomfort.

If you suspect lead poisoning, it’s important that you see a doctor regarding a blood test and possible treatments. If ignored, symptoms in children may become irreversible.

Besides the dangers of lead for children, it’s important to be aware of the harm that asbestos exposure may have caused the elderly. If you are know or care for an elderly loved one, they may have been exposed to a natural mineral called asbestos sometime during their lifetime. Asbestos was used in military vessels, car parts, drywall, insulation, and tile adhesive in older homes before the 1970’s. When disturbed, asbestos fibers are released into the air. Unsuspecting victims inhale or ingest these fibers and the fibers build in the lungs or stomach, resulting in a rare and deadly cancer called mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is most often diagnosed in the elderly because mesothelioma symptoms are latent for up to 50 years after initial asbestos exposure. Because of this, victims are unaware that the cancer has been spreading for decades. Diagnosis often reveals that the cancer has metastasized and treatment is consequently aggressive and too often ineffective. Thus, mesothelioma life expectancy rates are extremely low and patients tend to live on for just a few months.

If you care for an elderly person who may have been exposed to asbestos or who is experiencing symptoms of mesothelioma, it is important that you encourage them to speak with a physician and request a cancer screening.

We as women are naturally caring and nurturing. We care for the environment, for each other, for our children, and for our elders. Being mindful of toxins like lead and asbestos may mean keeping your loved ones around quite a while longer.