My Take on the “V” Word
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Ask Tamara: My parents said they used these vintage items their whole life and I shouldn’t worry. “Your kids will be fine…”
For those new to the Lead Safe Mama website: Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her four sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Tamara owns and runs Lead Safe Mama,…
Avi’s Tenth Birthday (originally posted in 2015)
Originally Posted: January 29, 2015 David “Avi” Benjamin Rubin is ten years old today.These have been the most challenging ten years of my life. In August 2005 Avi was just seven-months old when he was poisoned by the work of painting contractor who did not use lead-safe work practices in preparing the exterior of…
January 12, 2015, Adventure Day #6 – Hawaii
“Visiting my mother – To get the boys away from their negative/ destructive routines and habits and address some of their physical and mental health issues…Day 6” Today was probably one of my most challenging days of parenting – but I learned so much (and will probably need to expound upon this when I am…
January 8, 2015, Adventure Day #2
Just a quick few thoughts on the second day of our adventure. Here’s Avi’s leg – people had asked to see the progress. The progress in one day seems miraculous really, but time will tell if it actually gets better or if this is just a slight improvement from being in the salt-water and the…
January 7, 2015, Adventure Day #1
At the airport – saying goodbye to daddy… headed on a 6-hour flight to Granny’s to see if we can: 1) help Avi’s plaque psoriasis / get him better or at least stabilized & 2) focus on some Mama/Charlie time to see if an extended stay away from home (and away from the “regular routines”)…
I don’t like the parent I’ve become.
Written / Published: August 18, 2014 I don’t like the parent I’ve become. I don’t like the parent I’ve become. Afraid. Afraid of taking my kids out in public. Afraid of how they’ll act. Afraid of what they’ll do. Afraid of how others will perceive them. Afraid of how others will react. Afraid others will…
Q: I found lead-paint in my home. Now what?
Christine posted on Facebook (6/23/2014): “What do you do once you find lead paint?? I tested last night and found some deteriorating on the front door jamb and I’m so worried about my 2 year old and 3 month old! I can’t afford to hire a contractor. Would painting over it be enough??” ANSWER Here…
Q: Should Adults Get Tested?
I posted out about getting tested when you are pregnant (on Facebook.) This is Dawn’s comment/ question (6/23/2014): No, I never thought of it [getting a blood lead level test while pregnant.] Before I discovered you I only thought we were exposed to lead via chipping paint. The Organic Mom has posted items such as…
#AskTamara: Can I infer my child’s Blood Lead Level (BLL) by testing myself?
#AskTamara Originally published: June 18, 2014 QUESTION from Cristen (via Facebook) My ND suggested that if I was nervous about having my 3yo and 5yo lead tested (due to the finger stick…I’m pretty sure my 5yo would cry, and my 3yo would FREAK the hell out, major trauma…) that she would do the test on…
#AskTamara: We found leaded plumbing in our newer home! What should we do?
Originally Published June 18, 2014 Question from June 8, 2014 from Sarah (Via Facebook.) QUESTION: Dear Tamara, Hello! So update: we bought some lead testing kits and tested all of my daughters toys. Nothing came up BUT we randomly tested our water pipes and bingo! It looks like the solder is lead. Test came up positive…
#AskTamara: Do you have any recommendations for a non-toxic slow cooker?
For those new to this website: Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Since 2009, Tamara has been using XRF technology (a scientific method used…
Q: Recommendation for a lead-free hose? Lead-free toys?
Published: June 18, 2014 Questions From Nicole (Via MisLEAD: America’s Secret Epidemic Facebook Page.) QUESTION: I just found your page on FB and am a bit overwhelmed with all the information. It makes me want to clean my house and throw out everything! I have a couple questions: do you have a recommendation for a…
Q: Renting a 1950’s House…
May 19, 2014 Kayla QUESTION: Hello! I have come across your site and wondered if you would have the time to answer a question for me? We live in a home in the south built in the 50s. It was completely repainted before we moved in and the lead status is “unknown”. We are renting…
Dear Tamara…
Ala “Dear Abby”… …Stay tuned for a new series of blog posts where I answer your questions about lead hazards and solutions. If you have a question you want answered please post it in the comments below. – Tamara
Philip
I started my undergraduate studies at New York University in 1987. I was in the Drama program at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts – and was in conservatory at the Circle In The Square Studio – towards my bachelor of fine arts in stage acting. 1987. I remember thinking at the time that “Wow,…
Christmas came a day or two early this year!
For those new to the Lead Safe Mama website: Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her four sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Tamara owns and runs Lead Safe Mama,…
“Traipsing” Around the Country…
Tamara, WHY are you constantly “traipsing” all over the country meeting experts, business leaders, celebrities, journalists, filmmakers, and other public figures? The answer is simple: One of these new friends is going to help make the difference — I just don’t know who. In a way, the “tapestry” of life is made up of the…
#AskTamara: Is there Lead in chocolate? Really? What about Cadmium?
For those new to this website: Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Since 2009, Tamara has been using XRF technology (a scientific method…
Lead in Antiques & Christmas Lights (& Stained Glass Windows & Antique Print Trays) – a video.
Image of an antique print tray found on Etsy Originally Published: December 10, 2013 Updated: March 13, 2022 – Sunday Below is a video that is a scene from an early cut of my documentary feature film (that was one of the many, many fun scenes that we eventually had to cut from the film to reduce…
Our Film – On Kickstarter!
We launched our latest (and final) Kickstarter project for my documentary film about a week ago. Please check it out and consider making a pledge. Pledges are made with a credit card via your Amazon account. You don’t actually get charged on your card unless (and until) we fund – which would be December 31st…
#AskTamara: Lead Poisoning Is A *New* Epidemic? Really?
#AskTamara Originally posted: November 15, 2013 On our Facebook page today – a follower (Lori Campbell) read the tag-line for our Kickstarter campaign for the film: “Why are “ADD”, “ADHD” & “Autism” approaching epidemic levels in the U.S.? Find out @MisLEADMovie 1 in 3 U.S. kids has been poisoned.” Lori then posed this question: “So,…
A School For Avi
I thought I finally found a school for Avi—really I did. While we are technically “Home Schooling” him, it is among the most difficult things I have ever done (mostly because of the “negotiations” with him that are increasingly required to get him into the frame of mind in which he is ready to learn…
The Phone Will Not Ring
The phone will not ring today. I know this for certain. It’s oddly comforting. Or maybe not so odd! Just welcome. Peace and quiet. Space to work. Tamara Rubin November 8, 2013 P.S. if you were trying to reach me, please use email or facebook!