Lead is a metal that is poisonous and toxic, especially when it is ingested. After being ingested, lead enters the bloodstream and is absorbed and stored in many tissues and organs in the body, including the liver, kidneys, brain, teeth and bones. You can’t see, taste or smell lead. Elevated blood levels are treated with metal-removing therapy. These medications are chelating agents, which decrease blood lead levels (BLL) by binding to them, so they will leave the body in the urine. Medications include DMSA, an oral drug that binds to lead and mercury and is given every eight hours for five days, and then every twelve hours for two more weeks. It is usually used for BLLs between 45 and 69. Other metal-removing agents that are used for treatment of symptomatic lead poisoning and for BLLs greater than 69 is EDTA, which is given as a continuous infusion or an injection within a muscle for 3-5 days, and BAL which is given as an injection.