Toddler poisoned by lead paint, mum warns

A mother is warning of the dangers of lead poisoning after her toddler became seriously ill after eating paint containing lead.

Samantha Hoodlass from Hull said her daughter Myah, 3, was initially diagnosed with gastroenteritis after three visits to doctors following repeated vomiting.

She was rushed to hospital last year when she collapsed at home after staggering from her pram "like a little drunk person".

Hoodlass said doctors were shocked when Myah was eventually diagnosed with lead poisoning, believed to have come from a painted windowsill in the family's flat.

"I didn't know anything about lead paint, I'll be honest with you," Hoodlass said.

"Every toddler bites things. They're very curious.

"Also, when you are decorating, if you strip off that paint with a child, lead dust can get into the air as well, so it's not even just eating it."

Lead paint was banned in the UK in 1992, but can still be found in older properties.

The UK Health Security Agency said children exposed to the metal "may have a lower IQ, behavioural problems or nerve damage".

Myah will need to have regular blood tests and chelation treatment to try to remove the lead from her system.

"Whatever damage the lead poisoning does to your child is irreversible," Hoodlass said.

"So Maya can never get rid of whatever it's done to her."

Listen to highlights fromHull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look Northor tell us about a story you think we should be coveringhere.

Download the BBC News app from the App Storefor iPhone and iPad orGoogle Play for Android devices