Hello. My name is Tamara Rubin. My children have lead poisoning and yours may too.

Pediatricians don't routinely test all children for this increasingly common and preventable disease. They preselect based on outmoded stereotypes and forty-year-old demographics [poor children in sub-standard inner city housing] that don't match today's at-risk population for lead poisoning [a demographic which has been expanded to include children of middle and upper income homeowners renovating "classic" (older construction) houses.] With the ubiquity and levels of microscopic lead dust present in and around today's older buildings (our homes, schools, libraries, stores, etc. an incalculable number of sources), it is prudent that all children—including yours be tested.
    I have been a lead poisoning prevention and awareness advocate since my children were poisoned by the work of a painting contractor in Portland, Oregon in 2005.  The contractor used uncontained pressure washing, dry scraping and open flame torch burning to prepare the exterior of our home for painting. He assured us these methods were safe.  He lied. We later learned that not only were they not safe but they are all illegal on both a State and Federal level (along with dry sanding/ power sanding.)
    This site is quickly becoming a comprehensive site that serves as a resource for parents, teachers, pediatricians, contractors and others impacted by this problem in their work and daily life. Please follow the links on the menu bar above and check back periodically for updates and new information.