Treatment of Lead Poisoning Source of lead eliminated (eg, whole-bowel irrigation if lead in gastrointestinal tract) Chelation for adults with symptoms of poisoning plus whole blood lead level (PbB) > 70 mcg / dL (> 3.38 micromol / L) Chelation for children with encephalopathy or PbB > 45 mcg / dL (> 2.17 micromol / L) For all patients, the source of lead is eliminated.