Lead Poisoning

Facts about lead exposure:

• Lead exposure can harm young children and babies -- even before they are born.

• Even children that seem healthy can have high levels of lead in their bodies.

• People can be poisoned by breathing or swallowing lead dust, or by eating soil or paint chips with lead in them.

• Lead hazards can be reduced. In most cases, lead-based paint that is in good condition is not a hazard.

• Removing lead-based paint improperly can increase the danger to your family.

• One out of every 11 children in the United States has dangerous levels of lead in their bloodstream.

Lead is more dangerous to children than adults because:

• they often put their hands and other objects in their mouths that can have lead dust on them.

• their growing bodies absorb more lead.

• their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead.

Effects of lead in the body:
If not detected early, children with high levels of lead in their bodies can suffer from disorders such as:

• brain and neurological damage
• behavior and learning problems
• slowed growth
• hearing problems
• headaches

Lead poisoning is also harmful to adults, and may lead to:

• difficulties during pregnancy
• reproductive problems in both men and women
• high blood pressure
• digestive problems
• nerve disorders
• memory and concentration problems
• muscle and joint pain

Testing children for lead exposure:
If you think your home has high levels of lead -- get your children tested. A simple blood test can detect high levels of lead, and is important for:

• children who are 6 months to 1 year old (6 months if you live in an older home that might have lead in the paint).
  
  If your child is older than 1 year, ask your child's physician if he or she needs testing.

• family members whom you think might have high levels of lead.

Your child's physician or health center can do blood tests which are inexpensive and sometimes free. Treatment may include changes in diet, medication, or a hospital stay.

If you think your home has high levels of lead:

• Have young children tested for lead, even if they seem healthy.
• Wash children's hands, bottles, pacifiers, and toys often.
• Make sure children eat healthy, low-fat foods.
• Have your home checked for lead hazards.
• Regularly clean floors, window sills, and other surfaces.
• Wipe soil off shoes before entering house.
• Talk to your landlord about fixing surfaces with peeling or chipping paint.
• Take precautions to avoid exposure to lead dust when remodeling or renovating (call 1-800-424-LEAD for guidelines).
• Do not use a belt-sander, propane torch, dry scraper, or dry sandpaper on painted surfaces that may contain lead.
• Do not try to remove lead-based paint yourself.