Lead is a toxic metal that can be present in the paint, soil, dust and water in your home. If you have a child under the age of six, you should be alert to the danger of lead poisoning in your home environment. Your children can get lead in their bodies in different ways.
According to Rich Janssen, CSKT Environmental Protection Manager children can get lead poisoning from eating paint chips or soil that contains lead. It can happen if they chew on surfaces that have been painted with lead-based paint such as imported painted toys, Venetian or mini blinds or window sills. Lead poisoning can come from kids putting their hands or objects covered in lead paint in their mouths. Also, if your children eat certain candies or canned foods imported from Mexico, they might be exposed to dangerous amounts of lead.
Children who have lead in their bodies are at serious risk of damage to the brain which can lead to developmental problems such as decreased intelligence, hearing loss, and learning disabilities. Some common symptoms of lead poisoning are headaches, abdominal pains, clumsiness, irritability, and tiredness, but a child with lead poisoning might not show any symptoms at all. The only way to be sure if your child has lead poisoning is through a simple test that measures the amount of lead in the child’s blood.
Thankfully, you have the power to protect your child from the harmful effects of lead. Here are five easy steps that you can take to prevent your child from being exposed to lead in your home:
- Ask a doctor to test your children's blood for lead,
even if they seem healthy. Your doctor can explain what the
test results mean and what action should be taken.
- Feed your children healthy, low-fat foods high in
calcium, iron and vitamin C. These nutrients help to prevent
lead from absorbing into your child’s growing bones.
- Ensure that your children wash their hands before meals
and after playing. Also, do not let them eat imported
candies suspected of containing lead.
- Wipe down window sills, banisters, floors and other
surfaces in your home with a damp cloth or mop at least once
a week. This will clean up any lead dust that might be
present in your home. Put the material used for cleaning in
a plastic bag for disposal.
- If your home was built before 1978 and has peeling or chipping paint, have your home tested for lead and fix any hazards you may have. Contact your local health department for guidance on how to safely fix lead-based paint hazards in your home.
Your commitment to these simple steps will not only protect your child from the harmful effects of lead, but will ensure a brighter future for your community.
For more information on lead and lead poisoning, contact the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (5253), c Contact the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) at 800-424-LEAD (424-5323) to speak with an information specialist as staff members are available Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 6pm, Eastern Time, or visit EPA’s website at www.epa.gov/lead