Lead poisoning is entirely preventable. The key is stopping children from coming into contact with lead and treating children who have been poisoned by lead.
The goal is to prevent lead exposure to children before they are harmed. There are many ways parents can reduce a child’s exposure to lead. The key is stopping children from coming into contact with lead. Lead hazards in a child’s environment must be identified and controlled or removed safely.
Lead-based paint is the major source of exposure for lead in U.S. children. All houses built before 1978 are likely to contain some lead-based paint. However, it is the deterioration of this paint that causes a problem. You should determine the construction year of the house or the dwelling where the child may spend a large amount of time (e.g., grandparents or daycare). In housing built before 1978, assume that the paint has lead unless tests show otherwise.
Talk
to your state or local health department about testing paint and dust from
your home for lead.
Regularly wash children’s hands and toys.
Hands and toys can become contaminated
from household dust or exterior soil. Both are known lead sources.
Regularly wet-mop floors and wet-wipe window components.
Because household dust is a major source of lead, parents should wet-mop
floors and wet-wipe horizontal surfaces every 2-3 weeks. Windowsills and
wells can contain high levels of leaded dust. They should be kept clean.
If feasible, windows should be shut to prevent abrasion of painted surfaces
or opened from the top sash.
To further reduce a child’s exposure from non-residential paint sources:
avoid using traditional home remedies and cosmetics that may contain lead;
avoid eating candies imported from Mexico;
avoid using containers, cookware, or tableware to store or cook foods or liquids that are not shown to be lead free;
remove recalled toys and toy jewelry immediately from children. Check Lead Recalls lists.
use only cold water from the tap for drinking, cooking, and for making baby formula (Hot water is more likely to contain higher levels of lead. Most of the lead in household water usually comes from the plumbing in your house, not from the local water supply.);
shower and change clothes after finishing a task that involves working with lead-based products such as stain glass work, bullet making, or using a firing range.
Last updated: 08/31/2007