Lead Poison Prevention

  Everyone is at risk from lead poisoning. The greatest risk is for children under six because of their small body mass, hand to mouth behavior, developing central nervous systems, and high metabolism.

   Homes built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. If it is deteriorating, it may present a hazard through inhalation or ingestion of paint chips and lead-contaminated dust and soil.

   The sale of lead-based paint for residential use has been banned since 1978. Children living in older homes with chipping or peeling paint or in older homes undergoing renovation are at risk. Lead poisoning can cause central nervous system damage, reduced attention span and behavioral problems in children. Pregnant women who are poisoned can transfer lead to a developing fetus. Lead can also harm adults.

   If you suspect your child has been lead-poisoned, have a clinic or physician do a blood lead test. At city or county public health clinics, it is usually done at no charge. Pediatricians and other
private doctors may be reluctant to order the test. If you have good reason to suspect your child has been lead-poisoned, insist on the test.

   Many children with elevated blood lead levels show no symptoms. Possible symptoms include headache, stomachache, behavior disorders, hyperactivity or developmental delay.

   If the blood lead level is less than 20 micrograms per deciliter, the usual treatment is special diet and removing the child from contact with lead-based paint hazards. A health provider can recommend appropriate therapy. One treatment is chelation, a medical procedure to remove lead from the body.

Lead in Your Home: A Parent's Reference Guide gives more information. Click
here.