Lead is a heavy metal that was used in many materials and products before the risk to young children was known. Lead poisoning is caused by ingestion or inhalation of lead particles. All amounts are harmful to one's health, even very small amounts. Lead poisoning is especially dangerous for infants and children because they are still developing and absorb lead more easily. Growth of the brain and nervous system may be affected resulting in lifelong cognitive and behavioral effects. In addition to a lower IQ, other effects of lead poisoning could cause hearing loss, anemia and kidney damage.
Sources of lead
The most common sources of lead poisoning in young children are exposure through contact with lead contaminated paint and dust. However, other sources also exist, for example:
• Children's jewelry sold in large volume discount stores.
• Toys and children's furniture that have been recalled due to lead in the paint
• If you work with lead, you could bring it home on your hands or clothes
• Foods and liquids stored in lead crystal or lead-glazed pottery or porcelain are potential sources of lead poisoning
• Some hobbies may expose you to lead, such as pottery making, stained glass making or refinishing furniture
• Sometimes soil can contain lead, be careful that children do not put soil in their mouths
Prevent lead poisoning
There are steps that you can take to prevent lead poisoning:
• Keep children away from paint chips
• Damp mop floors and wet wipe surfaces twice a week
• Beware of toys or jewelry that contain lead; visit www.cpsc.gov
• Wash your child's hands often, especially before eating
• Wash toys often, especially teething toys
• Don't bring lead home from work; people who work in construction, plumbing, painting or auto repair can be exposed - wash work clothes separately and don't wear work shoes in your home
• Keep children away from remodeling work; old paint can have lead in it, especially if your home was built before 1978. Never dry-sand paint from walls in an older home (pre-1978). Be careful - during the work, you might stir up dust or create fumes containing lead. This can be very dangerous for adults, children and pets. Always use a method that creates the least amount of dust and fumes.
• Thoroughly wash your children's hands if they have been playing outdoors in the soil
• Feed your family foods high in iron and calcium such as peas, beans and dairy products
Get tested
It is easier to prevent lead poisoning than it is to treat it. Also, symptoms do not always show, until it is too late. Children should be tested on or before their first birthday and again at 2 years of age. Ideally, the pediatrician will initiate testing and give the parent a prescription to take to a local lab. If unable to visit the pediatrician, the health department will test your children; call 253-1560 for an appointment.
To learn more
Call (800) 424-LEAD (5323) to learn how to protect children from lead poisoning and for other information on lead hazards. To access lead information via the Internet, visit www.epa.gov/lead and www.hud.gov/offices/lead. The EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline is (800) 426-4791 for information about lead in drinking water. To request information on lead in consumer products, call (800) 638-2772 or visit www.cpsc.gov.
Elane Daly is director of Health and Human Services for
Cayuga County. She can be reached at 253-1560 or cchealth@dfa.state.ny.us
The most common sources of lead poisoning in young children are exposure through contact with lead contaminated paint and dust. However, other sources also exist, for example:
• Children's jewelry sold in large volume discount stores.
• Toys and children's furniture that have been recalled due to lead in the paint
• If you work with lead, you could bring it home on your hands or clothes
• Foods and liquids stored in lead crystal or lead-glazed pottery or porcelain are potential sources of lead poisoning
• Some hobbies may expose you to lead, such as pottery making, stained glass making or refinishing furniture
• Sometimes soil can contain lead, be careful that children do not put soil in their mouths
Prevent lead poisoning
There are steps that you can take to prevent lead poisoning:
• Keep children away from paint chips
• Damp mop floors and wet wipe surfaces twice a week
• Beware of toys or jewelry that contain lead; visit www.cpsc.gov
• Wash your child's hands often, especially before eating
• Wash toys often, especially teething toys
• Don't bring lead home from work; people who work in construction, plumbing, painting or auto repair can be exposed - wash work clothes separately and don't wear work shoes in your home
• Keep children away from remodeling work; old paint can have lead in it, especially if your home was built before 1978. Never dry-sand paint from walls in an older home (pre-1978). Be careful - during the work, you might stir up dust or create fumes containing lead. This can be very dangerous for adults, children and pets. Always use a method that creates the least amount of dust and fumes.
• Thoroughly wash your children's hands if they have been playing outdoors in the soil
• Feed your family foods high in iron and calcium such as peas, beans and dairy products
Get tested
It is easier to prevent lead poisoning than it is to treat it. Also, symptoms do not always show, until it is too late. Children should be tested on or before their first birthday and again at 2 years of age. Ideally, the pediatrician will initiate testing and give the parent a prescription to take to a local lab. If unable to visit the pediatrician, the health department will test your children; call 253-1560 for an appointment.
To learn more
Call (800) 424-LEAD (5323) to learn how to protect children from lead poisoning and for other information on lead hazards. To access lead information via the Internet, visit www.epa.gov/lead and www.hud.gov/offices/lead. The EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline is (800) 426-4791 for information about lead in drinking water. To request information on lead in consumer products, call (800) 638-2772 or visit www.cpsc.gov.
Elane Daly is director of Health and Human Services for
Cayuga County. She can be reached at 253-1560 or cchealth@dfa.state.ny.us
