Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) takes place October 20-26, 2019!

This week aims to increase lead poisoning prevention awareness in an effort to reduce children’s exposure to lead in their environment and prevent its health effects.

Lead facts:
Lead poisoning occurs when lead enters the bloodstream and builds up to toxic levels.
Many different factors such as the source of exposure, length of exposure, and underlying
susceptibility (e.g., child’s age, nutritional status, and genetics) affect how the body
handles foreign substances.

No safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Here are important facts to
know about lead exposure and its potentially harmful effects:

Lead is a toxic element, especially in young children. When absorbed into
the body, it can result in damage to the brain and nervous system, learning
and behavior problems, slow growth and development, and hearing and speech
problems.

Lead poisoning is preventable! The key is preventing children from coming into
contact with lead.

Lead Exposure:
Lead can be found inside and outside the home. The most common source of
exposure is from lead-based paint, which was used in many homes built before
1978. Children can be exposed by swallowing or breathing in lead dust created by
old paint that has cracked and chipped, eating paint chips, or chewing on surfaces
coated with lead-based paint, such as window sills.

 

Lead Sources:
Other examples of possible sources of lead include some metal toys or toys
painted with lead-based paint, furniture painted with lead-based paint, some
metal-containing jewelry, some imported items (i.e., health remedies, foods and
candies, cosmetics, powders or make-up used in religious ceremonies), and lead glazed pottery or porcelain.

Exposure:
Children can become exposed to lead by:

  • Putting their hands or other lead-contaminated objects in their mouths
  • Ingesting lead-contaminated dust;
  • Eating paint chips found in homes from peeling or flaking lead-based paint;
  • Drinking water that comes from lead pipes;
  • Playing in lead-contaminated soil;
  • Eating food made with lead-containing imported spices or candies; and
  •  Using ceremonial make-up or powders that contain lead.

Risk factors: 
Some children are at greater risk for lead exposure than others, including
those who are:

  • From low-income families;
  • Living with adults whose jobs or hobbies involve working with lead;
  •  Members of racial-ethnic minority groups
  •  Recent immigrants; and
  •  Living in older, poorly maintained rentals properties.
  •  Adults may also unknowingly bring lead dust into their home from their jobs or hobbies.

Lead prevention:
There are simple steps that can be taken to protect family members from lead based paint hazards in the home, such as regularly cleaning the home, washing
children’s hands and toys often, and wiping shoes before entering the home.

If you live in a house built before 1978, a certified inspector or risk assessor can
be hired to check your home for lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards.

Lead can also be found in drinking water. The most common sources of lead in
drinking water are lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures.


Additional resources: