Lead poisoning continues to be problem in the United States due to older housing stock, increasing poverty, toys and other lead-tainted items, and general lack of knowledge of lead poisoning and the importance of lead testing. Most children have some contact with lead in old paint, soil, plumbing or other sources. This is why New York state requires doctors to test all children with a blood lead test at age 1 and again at age 2.

Lead poisoning can harm a child's growth, behavior and ability to learn. Most lead poisoning occurs when children lick, swallow or breathe in lead dust or lead paint. The only way to know if a child is being lead poisoned is by testing the blood for elevated lead levels. Most children show no physical signs or symptoms of lead poisoning, even at higher levels. Once lead poisoning has occurred, the damage to the child's central nervous system (brain) is irreversible.

There should be no lead in the body; unfortunately, lead is in the environment. We all have been exposed to small amounts of lead at one time or another. Blood lead levels from 0 to 4 (mcg/dL) means there is very little lead in your child's blood. The average lead test results for young children are about 2 mcg/dL. Blood lead levels 5-9 mcg/dL means your child has a little more lead than most children. If this is a result of a finger-stick screening, test the test should be repeated again in three to six months with a veni-puncture (arm stick at lab). Blood levels greater than 10 (mcg/dL) are considered high and require action. Your doctor and local health department will help to work with families to find the source of lead, and ways to protect children from further lead exposure.

Lead poisoning is easier to prevent than to treat. The best solution is to prevent lead poisoning from occurring in the first place. Keep children away from peeling or chipped paint. Before making repairs in a home built before 1978, call your local health department to learn how to work safely and keep dust levels down. Starting April 2010, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is passing a law that requires all contractors to have certification of lead-safe work practices.This will include landlords or anyone making renovations on any property other than own home. Call your local health department for a listing of lead-safe work classes in your area (Cayuga County Health Department: 253-1560). Children and pregnant women should stay away from repairs that disturb old paint, such as sanding and scraping. They should stay away until the area is cleaned using wet cleaning methods and a HEPA vacuum (not dry sweeping). Wash hands frequently before meals and before bed. Wash toys, stuffed animals, pacifiers and bottles with soap and water often. Mop floors often and use damp paper towels to clean window wells and sills at least once a week or more.

With the holiday season upon us, the Cayuga County Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program is encouraging parents to take extra time when purchasing toys for children. Parents need to know that toys not made in the United States of America, or which have been passed down through generations, can put children at risk for lead exposure. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission has a listing of recalled toys and other items. Anyone interested in viewing the list of recalled toys can visit their Web site, http://www.cpsc.gov, or call (800) 638-2772.

Other ways to be careful not to bring lead home are through certain jobs or hobbies. These include painting, plumbing, construction, car repair or working with firearms, stained glass or pottery. To lower lead dust, change work clothes before going home - take shoes off at the door; wash work or hobby clothes separately; wash face, hands and uncovered skin before going home. Buy only lead-free dishes. Don't serve or store food in pewter, crystal or cracked pottery. Call your local health department or visit the New York State Department of Health Web site at www.nyhealth.gov/environmental/lead to see which dishes, spices, candy, cosmetics and health remedies have been found to have lead.

Serving foods high in calcium, iron and vitamin C help keep lead from being stored in your child's body. Foods with calcium include milk, cheese, yogurt, tofu and green, leafy vegetables. Foods with iron include beans, lean meat, fortified cereal and peanut butter. Foods with vitamin C include oranges, orange juice, grapefruit, tomatoes and green peppers.

To learn more about lead, talk with your child's doctor or nurse, call your local health department or visit the New York Department of Health Web site.

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