- Can my child get lead poisoning?
- Answer: Children aged 9 months through 5 years are at greatest risk for lead poisoning. These young children commonly crawl and play on the floor, and it is natural for them to put their fingers and toys into their mouths. If their home is painted with leaded paint, their fingers may get covered with lead dust that is so small it can not be seen. This way, children may be swallowing lead dust which can make them very sick.
- How can I find out if my child has lead poisoning?
- Answer: Most children with lead poisoning do not look or act sick. Ask your doctor to perform a blood lead test on your children. This is the only way to know if they are being lead poisoned. Your doctor should explain the results of the test to you. Most children will have a test result below 10 ug/dL.
- How can I get the paint on my house tested for lead?
- Answer: In California, paint is the most common source of lead poisoning in children. Houses built before 1960 are most likely to contain paint with high levels of lead. You can have paint samples tested by a private laboratory. If you own your home you will have to pay for the tests. For information on local laboratories that test paint and other lead sources (pottery, soil, etc.) call 1-800-LA-4-LEAD. If you live in the public housing, the paint may have already been tested for lead. Contact your resident housing manager and ask if your housing has been tested for lead paint. U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations require that public housing built before 1978 be tested for lead paint by the local housing authority.
- What do I do if my house paint contains lead?
- Answer: Improperly handling lead paint can spread lead dust in your home and poison your family, workers, and neighbors. Remodeling your home may also create a lot of lead dust. For more detailed information about how to handle lead paint in your home and tips for safe remodeling, please call 1-800-LA-4-LEAD. Lead dust comes off of lead painted surfaces even if the paint isn't peeling or flaking. To keep your home as free from lead dust as possible, mop often with water and household detergent. This is not a permanent solution and does not remove the danger of having lead paint in your home. Do not sweep or use a regular vacuum. Lead dust is so small that it cannot be contained by a regular vacuum cleaner, and sweeping spreads the dust around. Use a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) vacuum instead, which can trap lead particles and prevent them from coming out the exhaust.
- How else can I protect my child from exposure to lead?
- Answer: Try to decrease all sources of lead in your home: - Do not use home remedies containing lead (like Azarcon, Greta, Pay-loo-ah, or Alkohl). - Avoid hobbies that use lead (like soldering, making stained glass, bullets, or fishing sinkers). - Do not use imported or hand-made dishes for serving or preparing food or drink. they may contain lead. Encourage young children to wash their hands before eating. If your work around lead, such as in a radiator repair shop or a battery manufacturing plant, change your clothes and shower before coming home. Do not put cribs, playpens, beds, or high chairs next to areas where paint is chipping. Good nutrition is important. A child without a balanced diet may be hurt by lead more easily. Meals should include servings of fruits and vegetables, calcium-rich foods (milk, cheese and tofu) and iron-rich foods (meat, chicken, iron-fortified cereals, raisins and eggs).
- Where can I get more detailed information about lead poisoning?
- Answer: You may call 1-800-LA-4-LEAD to obtain a variety of health educational materials regarding lead poisoning.
