Lead is a toxin that can be especially harmful to children under the age of 6.
Before the risk to young children was known, it was used in many products.
Before 1978 it was found in paint. Paint bought today does not have lead in it.
Older houses often still have old lead paint. Lead dust from old paint
is the most common way children get lead poisoning.
Why should I be concerned about lead?
Lead can have a very serious and permanent effect on
a child’s growth and development.
Lead can cause:
Learning disabilities
Behavioral problems
Hearing damage
Language or speech delays
Lower intelligence
If you think your child could be at risk for lead poisoning, talk to his or her doctor about testing your child for lead. Identifying sources of lead in your child’s environment early is the best way to prevent lead poisoning.
Pick up any paint chips and throw them in the garbage.
Wash the floor often where the child plays.
If a child plays near a window with old paint, put something like furniture
in front of the window so that the child can’t touch the old paint.
If you live in an apartment, don’t let the children play in the hall, stairs, or porch.
Don’t let your children play near dirt next to the home. Grass and sandboxes are ok.
2). Think about how to keep lead dust out of your child’s
mouth.
Wash children’s hands before eating and before sleeping.
Wash children’s toys and pacifiers.
Don’t let children eat food that has fallen on the floor.
Feed your children at a clean table or high chair.
3). Wash up dust.
Wash the wood around windows and doors.
Wash floors once a week.
4). Don’t make matters worse.
Never dry scrape or sand old paint.
Put off renovations until your children are older.
If you need to make repairs or do maintenance use lead safe methods.
Lead in water is usually not a problem.
Use cold tap water for drinking and cooking.
Run water until it feels cold before using.
You can test your water for lead.
Talk to your child's doctor about when follow up blood lead tests should be done
to make sure your child's lead level is going down.
What can I do to help my child?
Keep appointments with your child's doctor to have needed follow up blood lead tests.
Keep your child away from lead hazards (link back to housing section).
If you think your child may have problems with learning, development or behavior, talk to your doctor.
Your child can be evaluated to see
if they need help with learning or behavior.
Provide a variety of activities, such as Head Start or preschools,
play groups, or summer camps for your child. Enrich your child
with
age appropriate toys, games, and books.
