What is lead?
Lead is a poisonous metal that is especially dangerous to babies
and young children and can harm them even before they are born.
Lead poisoning can damage children's nervous systems, brains
and other organs. It can also lead to additional health, learning
and behavioral problems.
Where is lead found?
Lead is most often found in lead-based paint, in dust that is
formed when lead-based paint is scraped, sanded or worn down
through use, and in soil that becomes contaminated with peeling,
lead-based paint. Lead can also be found in:
- Water
- Leaded crystal glassware
- Lead-glazed pottery and ceramic ware
- Some hobby equipment
- Cosmetics, such as kohl
- Home remedies such as "greta," a Mexican folk remedy (taken
commonly for stomachache or intestinal illness) and "azarcon" (a
folk remedy that usually contains substantial amounts of lead)
Also, painted toys and furniture, especially if they are older,
may also contain lead.
How do children get lead poisoning?
Children mainly get lead poisoning by ingesting lead-based paint
used in houses that were built before 1978. Lead paint gets into
children's systems when they:
- Eat or handle peeling paint chips and flakes that contain
lead
- Put their hands, toys and other items covered with lead dust in
their mouths
- Breathe lead dust
- Chew on windowsills, furniture and door frames and other items
covered with lead-based paint or
- Drink water from older water pipes that may leach lead
What are the symptoms of lead poisoning?
Unfortunately, many cases of lead poisoning have no symptoms.
Even healthy-looking children can have high levels of lead in their
bodies. Symptoms of lead poisoning in children include:
- Cramps
- Hyperactivity
- Learning problems
- Changes in behavior
- Headaches
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Anemia
What should I do if I think my child might have lead
poisoning?
Be sure to take your child for a blood test to measure his or
her blood-lead levels. Every child should have this quick and easy
test done at nine months to one year of age if at risk for lead
exposure or live in a high risk zip code area. The test can be done
at your doctor's office or at your local health department.
Many health insurers cover the cost of this test, and children who
are covered by Medicaid are eligible for free screening and
required by Ohio law to obtain a lead screen.
Should I be concerned about lead poisoning if I'm
pregnant?
Pregnant women should make sure to avoid exposure to lead, since
it can be passed along to the unborn child through the mother. A
child can be harmed by lead poisoning even before he or she is
born.