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TextLead Poisoning questions
What is Lead Poisoning?
Who is at risk?
What are the effects?
How do I know if my child has lead
poisoning?
What are the primary sources of lead
exposure?
How are children exposed?
How can lead exposure be
prevented?
What services does the Health Department provide
for children with lead poisoning?
WHAT IS LEAD POISONING?
Lead can produce adverse effects on virtually every system in the body;
kidneys, nervous system, reproductive system, and cause high blood
pressure. Very high blood lead levels can cause seizures, coma, and
death.
- Children 6 years old and under are most at risk, because their bodies are growing quickly.
- Children from all social and economic strata can be affected.
- Children living in older, poorly maintained homes or older, improperly renovated or remodeled homes have an increased risk.
- Children regularly exposed to lead and have a diet low in calcium and iron have an increased risk.
- Slowed physical development
- Learning or behavior problems
- Lowered intellect or IQ
- Hearing loss
- Brain, liver and kidney damage
- Death
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHILD HAS LEAD
POISONING?
Unless the blood-lead levels are very high, most children do not show
outward signs. If you suspect your child has had repeated exposure to
products containing lead or lead contaminated dust and dirt, the only way
to know is to have a blood test.
WHAT IS THE PRIMARY SOURCES OF LEAD EXPOSURE?
- Deteriorating lead-based paint
- Lead contaminated dust
- Lead contaminated residential soil
- Imported cosmetics,spices,food,toys
- Homeopathic's and home remedies
- Imported or antique ceramics,pottery and dinnerware
HOW ARE CHILDREN
EXPOSED?
For children under 6:
- Absorption from imported cosmetics.
- Inhalation of dusts and vapors that contain lead.
- Ingestion of lead dust on their hands from lead paint, toys and contaminated dirt. As well as imported cosmetics, spices, food, homeopathic's and home remedies. Children may absorb 30% to 75% of ingested lead in their digestive tract.
HOW CAN LEAD EXPOSURE BE PREVENTED?
-
Eating a good Diet:
- Provide meals high in calcium and iron.
- Avoid fatty foods.
-
Hand washing routine. Hand washing is important
because children may absorb 30% to 75% of ingested lead in their
digestive tract and up to 50% of lead may be absorbed through the
lungs. Hands should be washed:
- Before meals.
- After playing outside or on the floor.
Find the sources of lead in your home.
-
In the Home:
- Check and remove peeling paint and chips from the home.
- Children should not be present when scraping or cleaning up paint chips.
- Dust should be kept to a minimum by damp mopping floors and using wet cloths to clean walls,window sills and other painted surfaces.
- Discourage children from playing in bare soil that may contain lead.
- Additional Action Steps that can be taken to make a Lead Free environment.
WHAT SERVICES DOES THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT PROVIDE FOR CHILDREN WITH LEAD POISONING? The Fairfax County Health Department educates household members about reducing lead exposure when a report is received of a child with an elevated blood lead level. When the blood lead level in children 72 months (6 years) and younger is a level considered lead poisoned a multi-disciplinary team conducts an ENVIRONMENTAL BLOOD LEAD LEVEL EVALUATIONS
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