Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention

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San Antonio, Texas 78205

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Protecting children from exposure to lead is important to lifelong good health. No safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect learning, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement.

Facts

What is lead poisoning?

Lead is a natural element found in our environment. Unlike other elements such as iron or calcium, exposure to lead can be toxic, causing organ damage or, in high levels, death.

How does lead affect a child?

A young, growing child absorbs lead more easily compared to an adult. Even small amounts of lead can cause permanent damage to any organ or system in the body. Developmental delays, behavior problems, and low IQ scores may result from childhood lead poisoning.

What are the symptoms of lead poisoning?

Children with lead poisoning often do not show any symptoms and a blood lead test is the only way to confirm if a child has lead poisoning. Nevertheless, high blood lead levels can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, change in appetite, and irritability.

How do children get lead poisoning?

Children are exposed to lead in the environment in three ways:

  • Eating or mouthing lead-contaminated items
  • Breathing lead-contaminated dust 
  • An expectant mother can pass lead to her unborn baby through the placenta
What are the sources of lead poisoning?

Common sources of childhood lead poisoning include lead-based paint in buildings built before 1978. Eating paint chips, chewing on painted surfaces—such as windowsills—or breathing in lead dust may cause lead poisoning. Children may also be exposed to lead from several other sources.

How can I protect my child from lead poisoning?
  • Ask for a blood lead test at your child’s next checkup. A blood lead test is the only way to know if your child has lead poisoning. 
  • Know the sources of lead and minimize your child’s exposure to them. Wash your child’s hands and face often, especially before meals and at bedtime. 
  • Give your child three healthy meals and two snacks a day. Feed your child foods high in iron, calcium, and vitamin C. 
  • Do not let your child eat or chew on non-food items—such as paint chips, dirt, windowsills, cribs, and toys (see Consumer Product Safety Commission list of recalls).
  • Do not cook or store food in clay or ceramic pottery. 
  • Do not give your child home remedies such as Azarcón or Greta from foreign countries. 
  • Cover peeling paint and clean up paint chips around the home. 
  • Wet mop or wipe floors, windowsills, doors, and doorframes to reduce lead dust on wood and painted surfaces. 
  • Wash your child’s toys and pacifier often. 
  • Take off shoes before entering your home. 
  • If you work with lead, shower, and change clothes before interacting with your child and wash work clothes separate from the family’s clothes.
Should my child be tested for lead poisoning?

YES! Blood lead testing is the only way to determine lead poisoning. If possible, every child should have a blood lead test at 12 and 24 months of age and be screened annually until age six.

Where can I have my child tested for lead poisoning?

Contact your child’s health care provider.

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