What is Lead Poisoning? 

Childhood lead poisoning remains a major environmental health problem in the United States. Lead is dangerous to children under the age of 6 years. Their bodies absorb lead easier than adults and they often put their hands and toys in their mouths, allowing lead and lead dust to be swallowed.  At this age children’s brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead. Lead poisoning occurs when lead is swallowed or inhaled.  

The most common source of lead poisoning is lead based paint. Other lead sources include water that has passed through lead lined pipes, contaminated soil with lead paint chips, hobbies or jobs in which one would come in contact with lead based products.  Children’s growing bodies absorb more lead, and lead replaces calcium and iron.

Homes built before 1978 can pose risks for lead hazards due to the fact that lead was a common ingredient in house paint.  

Pregnant women with high lead levels in their system can expose a fetus to lead through the placenta during fetal development. 

The long term effects of lead in children can be severe. They include learning disabilities, decreased growth, hyperactivity, impaired hearing and even brain damage.  If caught early, these effects can be limited by reducing exposure to lead or by medical treatment. 

Preventative measures would be to keep areas clean and dust free, wash pacifiers and bottles after they fall on the floor. Clean floors, window frames, windows and sill surfaces weekly, using a general all purpose cleaner. Make sure your children wash their hands before meals, nap time and bedtime. Just a tiny piece of a lead paint chip can be dangerous if eaten. Don’t let your child chew on anything that you might think is covered with lead paint, such as window sills, cribs, or playpens. 

Lead dust from repairs or renovations of older buildings can remain in the building long after the work is completed.  Hire a person with special training for correcting lead paint problems to remove lead paint from your home. It takes special equipment to clean up the lead thoroughly. DON’T TRY TO REMOVE LEAD PAINT YOURSELF. 

If you have questions about lead or renovating please call the Health Department at 419-784-3818.