How do children become lead poisoned?

Children can develop lead poisoning from exposure to lead in paint chips, dust and soil. Small paint chips may be swallowed when children chew on lead painted objects. Dust and soil containing lead can get on children’s hands and toys and be swallowed as they play. Food and water may also contain lead.
 

How can you prevent childhood lead poisoning?

You can reduce children’s risks of lead poisoning by reducing their exposures to lead in your home. Small amounts of lead can harm a child’s developing nervous system and may result in problems with learning, behavior and coordination.

Where could lead be a problem in my house and yard?

Lead can be found in homes painted prior to 1978, and especially in homes built prior to 1950, particularly if your house has visible areas of peeling or flaking paint. If your water system contains lead pipes or copper pipes with lead solder, you may be exposed to elevated levels of lead. Soil next to roads, which had high traffic prior to 1978, when most gasoline contained lead, may have elevated lead levels.

Lead paint is the major source of childhood lead exposure.

• If painted surfaces are in good condition and are out of reach of children, do nothing.
• Use only lead free paint. Although lead was banned from house paints in 1977, marine, craft, auto, and other paints may still contain lead.
• Scrape peeling or flaking paint by hand. Collect chips with a drop cloth. Dispose of the drop cloth and chips in an outdoor container. After indoor scraping, wash floor, walls and furniture thoroughly. Do not allow children or pregnant women into area where paint is being removed.
• Replace lead painted windowsills and moldings. Scraping is not always effective because it may leave some lead paint behind.
• Cover lead painted walls and ceilings with plaster wallboard, wallpaper, and paneling or lead free paint. Install vinyl siding over lead paint outdoors.

Soil and dust are very important sources of childhood lead exposure.

• Provide toddlers with a covered sandbox that has a bottom and clean sand as an alternative to playing in the dirt.
• Dispose of visible paint chips.
• Wash floors, HEPA vacuum rugs, and wet-wipe furniture often.
• Wash children’s hands often, particularly before eating.
• Plant grass to reduce children’s contact with soil and to control dusts, or cover soil with sod or cement.
• Replace old plastic/vinyl mini-blinds.
• Use only lead free candles.

Water can be a major source of lead for infants.

• If your home has lead or lead soldered pipes, you may be at risk of lead exposure. Run tap water until it is cold to flush out water pipes before using it for drinking or cooking.
• Never use hot tap water for drinking or cooking. Hot water is more likely to leach lead from plumbing than cold water.

Children who have a diet that is high in iron and calcium and low in fat are less prone to lead poisoning.

• Serve children foods that are high in iron, such as lean meats, chicken, fish, raisins, eggs, and iron-fortified cereals.
• Also, serve children foods high in calcium, such as low fat milk, cheese, yogurt, broccoli, soybeans and tofu.

Sources of lead in food include the lead solder in some cans, antique pewter, and glazes or pottery made outside the USA.

• Do not store food in original cans once they are opened. Cans with lead solder may leach lead into food more readily once opened. Store food in glass or plastic containers.
• Avoid serving food on ceramic ware or pottery made outside the USA.
• Avoid serving food or drink on antique pewter or silver.

If you work with lead, you may bring lead home on work clothes and shoes.

• Shower and change clothes and shoes before leaving work.

All children should be tested for lead poisoning between the ages of 6 to 12 months, depending on the child’s risk for a high dose exposure. Your doctor or the health department can conduct the test.

For further information, contact the Broward County Health Department at (954) 847-3567 or (954) 767-5105.