Protecting children from exposure to lead is important to lifelong good health. No level of lead in children’s blood is considered safe. Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to be harmful to your child’s health.
Signs of lead poisoning are hard to see. Lead exposure can cause:
- Lowered IQ and learning problems.
- Trouble concentrating and behavioral problems.
- Anemia (a disease caused by low iron levels), which can result in tiredness, shortness of breath, and difficulty paying attention.
- In adulthood, children who were exposed to lead are more likely to have high blood pressure and heart disease.
Sources of Lead Exposure:
- Homes built before 1978 (when lead-based paints were banned) probably contain lead-based paint. When the paint peels and cracks, it makes lead dust. Children can be exposed to lead when they swallow or breathe in lead dust.
- Certain water pipes may contain lead.
- Lead can be found in some products such as toys and jewelry.
- Lead is sometimes in candies or traditional home remedies.
- Certain jobs and hobbies such as in construction/renovation, use of firearms or working at a firing range (i.e., law enforcement and military) may cause parents to bring lead into the home.
- Children who live near airports may be exposed to lead found in the air and soil from aviation gas.
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention
Lead poisoning is preventable. As a parent you can protect your child from coming into contact with lead. The only way to know if your child has been exposed to lead is by getting a blood test. Ask your child’s doctor to about lead screening, especially if you live in a ZIP code that is at high risk for lead.
Things you can do to prevent further exposure and reduce damage to your child’s health
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if your child has a high lead level, there are things you can do at home to help:
- Make a plan with your child’s doctor and work together to find the best treatment.
- Find the lead in your home and fix it as soon as possible.
- Clean areas exposed to lead dust with wet paper towels.
- Give your child healthy foods with calcium, iron, and vitamin C.
- Contact your child’s pediatrician and local health department. Trained staff will answer your questions and connect you to available resources in your community.
Resources:
- CDC: About Lead in Jobs, Hobbies, or Other Activities
- Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH): High-Risk ZIP Codes for Pediatric Blood Lead Poisoning
Sources: Cook County Public Health, CDC: Preventing Childhood Lead Poisoning