Joanne Skinner, 39, resided in her council property on Roughlands Crescent in Falkirk when she observed her sons Blake, 5, and Kaleb, 4, frequently falling ill following the installation of a new heating system in 2022.

After numerous GP visits attempting to diagnose their deteriorating health, an incidental test revealed alarmingly high levels of lead in Kaleb's bloodstream. Subsequent testing showed Blake had even higher concentrations of the toxic substance, as verified by medical records viewed by the Record.

Upon doctors voicing environmental concerns, Public Health Scotland and NHS Forth Valley urged Falkirk Council to probe the lead source. The investigation discovered the house was infested with lead, exposing the family through aged paint, contaminated water, and garden soil.

It is speculated that the heating system's installation reactivated dormant lead in the old wall paint, commonly used in pre-70s homes, reports the Daily Record.

Single mother Joanne confided in the Record: "I knew something just wasn't right. The kids were constantly unwell, very lethargic and didn't have much of an appetite.

"I was panicking because I just did not know what was going on and what was killing my children. I was living on the edge. Little did I know it was my house."

She credits her paediatrician for taking action, stating, "It was my paediatrician that listened to my concerns and took a test to see if there was anything underlying."

The situation escalated when the doctor's findings prompted an urgent response: "They immediately contacted Falkirk Council when they were alarmed by the results and asked for an environmental investigation."

However, it wasn't until her son Blake showed similar alarming signs that the family was relocated: "But it took for Blake's results to show the same thing for us to be moved out and into temporary accommodation. The doctor said they'd never seen levels like it in children in their career."

According to the World Health Organisation, severe lead exposure can be fatal, with the NHS warning that young children are particularly vulnerable, facing grave health issues and developmental setbacks.

Blake and Kaleb, both diagnosed with autism and non-verbal, exhibited symptoms consistent with lead poisoning such as fatigue, loss of appetite, and vomiting.

The family was moved to temporary accommodation in October 2023 while their home underwent decontamination, a process expected to last 12 weeks. Yet, Joanne has expressed frustration over the incomplete work.

Since leaving Roughlands Crescent, medical records for both boys have shown improvements in behaviour and overall health.

Joanne expressed her distress, saying: "We've been living elsewhere for 18 months and they still haven't completed the work at our house, but the thought of going back there is terrifying me after it made my children so unwell.

"You can actually become addicted to lead and in one worrying incident I found Kaleb peeling paper off the wall to eat it. It seemed like his body was craving it. It was horrendous."

Regarding her children's health, Joanne explained: "They've had to be treated with a high dose of liquid iron and they're still being regularly tested."

Public Health Scotland acknowledged their involvement in providing advice for this concerning situation but declined to offer any specifics on the case.

An NHS Forth Valley representative confirmed their commitment to collaborating with various bodies, stating: "We can confirm we work closely with a number of agencies including local authorities, and relevant national agencies if required, to carry out investigations into possible exposure to a wide range of potentially harmful substances."

They also admitted challenges in tracing contamination sources: "However, in many cases, identifying the source of possible exposure can be difficult and is often inconclusive."

Falkirk Council did not respond directly about the lead issues but admitted shortcomings in the repair schedule, with a spokesperson conceding: "We can confirm that repairs have not been completed within the anticipated timeframe and apologise to our tenant for the delay.

"The expectation is that work will be complete by 9th May 2025 and we will notify our tenant of this timeframe. We will also provide the tenant with details of the work completed prior to their return to the property.

"It is not appropriate for Falkirk Council, as landlord, to provide any further comment at present."