WHAT IS LEAD POISONING?
Lead poisoning is a serious illness caused by swallowing or breathing too much lead. Even small amounts of lead paint flakes or leaded dust can be harmful in the body.
WHO CAN GET LEAD POISONING?
Anyone who eats, drinks or breathes something which has too much lead can get lead poisoning, but lead is most dangerous for children under six years of age. Lead can even pass from the blood of a pregnant woman to her unborn baby.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF LEAD POISONING?
Most of the time there are no signs of lead poisoning, or when they appear, they may seem like the flu or other illnesses.
Early Symptoms may include:
- headaches
- stomach aches
- tiredness
- crankiness
- constipation
- poor appetite
- nausea
Low levels of lead poisoning can slow a child’s development and cause learning and behavior problems. High levels of lead can cause brain damage, mental retardation, anemia, liver and kidney damage, hearing loss, and can sometimes cause death.
WHERE DOES LEAD COME FROM?
Lead in paint. About 75 percent of houses and apartments built before 1978 were painted with lead paint. Older furniture and painted toys may contain lead paint. Young children put everything into their mouths, including flakes of paint and painted objects.
Lead in drinking water
comes from lead pipes and solder in home plumbing. Lead leeches into water when it is settling in the pipes. To reduce lead in water, allow the cold water to run for at least 1 minute before getting any water for drinking or cooking.
Lead in dust and dirt
may be found where lead-based paints have flaked or washed off old buildings and fences. Sometimes workers are exposed to lead dust in industries, such as battery recycling plants, and bring lead dust home on clothing, skin and hair.
Improperly glazed pottery and dishes,
made in foreign countries may be harmful if used as food or beverage containers.
Printed paper, such as magazines, newspapers, and comics, often contains
lead in the ink and can be harmful to children who chew on paper. Burning
printed paper can create dust or fumes.
Plastic mini-blinds that contain lead area source of lead poisoning for young children. Most of the plastic mini-blinds containing lead are imported from Southeast Asia and Mexico. If your blinds contain lead, or if you are unsure, you should replace them with with blinds that are labeled "lead free" or "contains no lead."
Other possible source of lead are:
- antique pewter
- painted jewelry
fishing sinkers
curtain weights
lead bullets
stained glass solder
car batteries
artist paints
folk medicines (such as greta, azarcon, pay-loo-ah, ghasard and kandu)
TESTING FOR LEAD POISONING
ALL children, nine months to 6 years should be tested for lead poisoning. Don’t wait for signs or symptoms of lead poisoning before you have you child tested!
A blood test is the only sure way to detect lead poisoning. A simple fingerstick blood test can be done on your child at the doctor’s office or the Alamance County Health Department.
WHAT IF YOUR CHILD HAS LEAD POISONING?
A nurse will ask about your child’s habits, behavior and health. An environmental health inspector will visit your home to find out where the child is getting the lead. You will be shown how to protect your children from the lead hazards.
If medical treatment is necessary, your child may have to be hospitalized.
Alamance County Health Department offers FREE child lead testing.
TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT CALL:
Your Doctor
or
Alamance County Health Department
Dial - 227-0101
Then press "6" for Child Health