Where does the lead come from?
The most common source is dust in homes where lead-based paint was used prior to being banned in 1978. Also, soil near roads contains lead dust from automobile exhaust deposited before leaded gasoline was phased out in 1984. People track this soil into homes where children play on the floor, and sometimes children play in bare soil contaminated with lead. Other sources of exposure exist such as plumbing and fixtures that may contain lead, imported spices, homeopathic medicines, imported toys and jewelry, imported pottery and cookware, and makeup including imported kohl.
Why do you target children under age six?
At this age a child’s brain is still developing. During this time, low levels of lead can interfere with normal brain development, resulting in permanently reduced IQ and behavioral problems. This is also the age during which hand-to-mouth activity is a child’s way of exploring, and children spend more time crawling on the floor where they can pick up dust containing lead on their hands.
What damage does lead poisoning cause in young children?
Health effects can include reduced IQ, hyperactivity, reduced stature, reduced hearing, and headaches.
What about adults and older children? Can’t they be lead poisoned too?
Yes, but the amount of lead that would have to be ingested or inhaled by an adult or older child is much greater than that needed to cause damage to a child under age six. Lead has been implicated in male infertility and poor pregnancy outcomes
What can I do to prevent lead poisoning in my home?
Make sure your child does not have access to peeling paint or chewable surfaces painted with lead-based paint.- Children and pregnant women should not be present in housing built before 1978 that is undergoing renovation. They should not participate in activities that disturb old paint or in cleaning up paint debris after work is completed. Do not use a belt-sander, propane torch, dry scraper, or dry sandpaper on painted surfaces that may contain lead.
- Create barriers between living/play areas and lead sources. Clean and isolate all sources of lead until lead hazard remediation is completed. Close and lock doors to keep children away from chipping or peeling paint on walls. You can also apply temporary barriers such as contact paper or duct tape, to cover holes in walls or to block children’s access to other sources of lead.
- Regularly wash children’s hands and toys to remove contamination from lead in household dust or soil.
- Regularly wet-mop floors and wet-wipe window components. Keep windowsills and wells clean as they may contain high levels of leaded dust. If possible, any accessible pre-1978 window should be shut to prevent abrasion of painted surfaces or opened from the top sash.
- Take off shoes when entering the house to prevent bringing lead-contaminated soil in from outside.
- Prevent children from playing in bare soil, and if possible, provide them with covered sandboxes. Plant grass on areas of bare soil or cover the soil with grass seed, mulch, or wood chips, if possible. Until the bare soil is covered, move play areas away from bare soil and away from the sides of the house.
How do I reduce my child’s exposure from non-residential paint sources?
- Do not use traditional folk medicine and cosmetics that may contain lead.
- Do not purchase candies imported from Mexico.
- Avoid using imported containers, cookware, pottery, teapots, or tableware to store or cook foods or liquids. Purchase “lead-free” cookware and containers.
- Check the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for recalled toys and remove immediately from children. Do not let children play with imported jewelry or key chains.
- Use only cold water from the tap for drinking, cooking, and making baby formula. Hot water is more likely to contain higher levels of lead. Most of the lead in household water usually comes from the plumbing in your house, not from the local water supply. Infants receive a large percentage of lead exposure from tap water, so if in doubt use bottled or filtered water.
- Shower and change clothes after finishing a task that involves working with lead-based products such as stained glass, making bullets, or using a firing range, and wash clothing separately.