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Lead Poisoning Prevention
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The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program provides educational information to families and free blood lead screenings to children in Lucas County from age 6 months up to 6 years. Lead poisoning is a disease caused by swallowing or inhaling lead. At greatest risk are young children because their bodies absorb lead more easily than adults and they put everything in their mouths. Also at risk are children who live in old, poorly maintained housing with chipping or peeling paint or housing undergoing renovation.
EFFECTS OF LEAD POISONING
The effects of lead poisoning may not be obvious. Lead affects the central nervous system, the blood cells and the way the body uses vitamin D and calcium.
Low levels of lead exposure can cause:
- hearing problems
- speech problems
- learning problems
- slowed growth
- short attention span
High levels of lead exposure can cause:
- seizures
- convulsions
- coma
- death
Lead poisoning can also cause behavioral problems. The child may become:
- easily excited,
- easily upset or
- have difficulty concentrating.
SYMPTOMS OF LEAD POISONING
There are usually no symptoms of lead poisoning or the symptoms are mistaken for other illnesses. Symptoms may include:
- Trouble sleeping
- Headaches
- Tiredness
- Crankiness
- Poor appetite
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Stomachaches
As more lead accumulates in the child’s body, the child may develop clumsiness, weakness and a loss of recently acquired skills.
- Paint - chipping or peeling paint poses the greatest risk, but intact lead paint can create a fine dust that is difficult to see and easily inhaled or ingested.
- Soil - lead chips or dust from exterior paint, lead based insecticides and highway
pollution can contaminate soil.
- Water - lead pipes, lead solder joining pipes or brass or bronze fittings may contaminate water.
- There are other sources of lead; antique pewter, window blinds, some folk cosmetics or health remedies and pottery. Also hobby supplies such as stained glass, target practice, and lead fishing sinkers.
SCREENING AND DETECTION
All children from 6 months to 6 years old should be screened at least twice and the recommended ages are 12 months and 24 months. If a child is a Medicaid recipient then it is required that the child be tested at 12 months and 24 months. Follow-up testing is necessary if blood lead level elevations are found. Even children who appear healthy may have high levels of lead. The only way to be certain that a child does or does not have lead poisoning is to have the child tested.
RISK ASSESSMENT
Answering yes to any of these 5 questions or living in a zip code area listed below increases a child’s risk for lead poisoning and the child should be screened.
Does Your Child:
- Live in or regularly visit a house, day-care, preschool or the home of a babysitter/relative built before 1950?
- Live in or visit a house that has peeling chipping, dusting or chalking paint?
- Live in or visit a house built before 1978 with recent, ongoing or planned renovation or remodeling?
- Have a sibling or playmate that has or did have lead poisoning?
- Frequently come in contact with an adult whose job or hobby involves exposure to lead? (Construction, welding, pottery, painting)
High Risk Zip Code Areas:
43602 43604 43605 43606
43607 43608 43609 43610
43611 43612 43614 43618
43620 43622 43524
PREVENTION
These simple steps can help prevent or reduce the risk of lead poisoning
- Wash children’s hands before eating, naps or bedtime and after playing outside
- ash toys, bottles and pacifiers often
- Use lead free paint on walls, toys and furniture
- Use cold water for cooking and allow water to run for 30-60 seconds before using it
- Store food in glass, plastic or stainless steel containers - never store food in opened cans or pottery if you’re unsure of the glaze
- If you work with or have hobbies that involve lead, change your clothes and shower before coming home and wash those clothes separately
NUTRITION
Good nutrition can help to lower a child’s lead level. Always wash your hands before preparing food. Children should eat small amounts of food throughout the day. A full stomach is less likely to absorb lead. Serve foods that are:
High in Iron and Protein:
- lean red meats, chicken, fish, peanut butter
- leafy green vegetables
- spinach, broccoli
- refried beans, peas, lentils
- dried fruit
- raisins, prunes, apricots
- iron-enriched breads and cereals
High in Vitamin C:
~ citrus fruits and juices
- tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, greens
- potatoes and sweet potatoes
High in Calcium:
- milk, cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, tofu
- leafy, green vegetables
- canned salmon
Avoid Foods that are High in Fat and Oil:
- french fries, fried chicken, potato chips
- cookies, cakes, and pastries
- butter, oil, lard
- hamburgers, bologna, salami, bacon
PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY FROM LEAD PAINT
If lead paint is found in your home you can protect your family until the lead is eliminated by:
- Washing floors and window sills with a high phosphate detergent
- Placing furniture in front of areas with peeling or chipping paint to block access to these areas
- Wet mopping floors instead of sweeping or vacuuming-which only spreads the lead dust around
Painting over lead paint won’t protect a child. The paint will continue to flake and chip as it ages. Removing lead paint can be extremely dangerous to children and pregnant women. Contact a qualified professional for removal of lead paint.
Registered Nurses in the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program will provide free lead screenings to day care centers, schools, or other organizations whose population includes children age 6 months to 6 years. For additional information on lead poisoning or to arrange for a free lead screening for your child or group call 419.213.2659.
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