Written by Barbara Dunaway, RN
Community Health Services Director

What You Should Know About Lead Poisoning

Lead poisoning is a condition caused by swallowing or inhaling lead. Lead poisoning is very common and it affects millions of American children. Even small amounts of lead can be harmful, young children face the greatest risks because their bodies absorb lead more easily than adults' do.

Lead paint is the major source of lead poisoning in the United States homes built before 1978 are likely to have lead paint on the inside or outside. Lead paint can also be found on older toys and furniture. The biggest threat of lead paint comes from fine lead dust created when doors, windows or painted surfaces rub against each other and from chipped or peeling lead paint. Other sources of lead in our environment include lead water pipes, plumbing fittings made of brass or bronze and lead solder used to connect plumbing. Soil in the area where your child plays can be contaminated by chips and dust from exterior lead paint, past use of lead-based insecticides and lead pollution that has settled in the soil. Food can be contaminated if it is grown near sources of lead pollution, stored or baked in poorly glazed pottery.

Lead poisoning is not easy to detect. Signs of lead poisoning are not always obvious if symptoms occur they may be mistaken for the flu or other illnesses. Some of the early signs and symptoms of lead poisoning in children are persistent tiredness or hyperactivity, irritability, loss of appetite, weight loss, reduced attention span, difficulty sleeping and constipation

Even small amounts can cause severe and lasting harm. Left unchecked and untreated lead builds up, you may notice clumsiness, weakness and loss of recently learned skills in your child. At lower levels the effects may not be obvious but low levels may damage the nervous system, including the brain, harm hearing, lower IQ scores and make learning difficult. Low-level lead poisoning may also affect a child's behavior, making him or her excitable or less able to concentrate. At very high levels lead may cause convulsions, coma, and death.

Screening for lead is the best way to prevent lasting harm from lead poisoning. Here are some tips you can use to help protect your child against lead poisoning. Don't allow your child to put things in his or her mouth that may be dirty or have lead paint on them. Don't allow your child to eat snow or icicles. Have your child wash his or her hands before eating. Wash bottles, pacifiers and toys often. Feeding your child a well-balanced diet that's high in iron, calcium and vitamin C helps to protect the body against lead. Don't store food in open cans; don't use pottery for cooking or serving if you're unsure about its glaze. Have your water tested. If you suspect lead, draw drinking water and cooking water from the cold tap after letting it run for a few minutes. In your home be alert for chipping and flaking paint. Use only safe interior paints on toys, walls, and furniture. Replace plastic blinds made outside the United States with a type that is lead-free. If you work with lead don't bring it home with you. Shower and change before coming home. Wash your clothes separately from your family's clothes. Wet-mop floors and wipe windowsills regularly.

Screening for lead is the best way to prevent lasting harm from lead poisoning.

Lead testing is available for Randolph County children 6 months up to 6 years old. For more information about lead screening call the Randolph County health Department at (660) 263-6643 EXT 3009.