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Lead Poisoning

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Poison Help Line

1-800-222-1222

It may seem like a problem of the past, but lead poisoning is still a serious health hazard today.

Lead poisoning occurs when lead builds up in the body, often over months or years. Even small amounts of lead can cause serious health problems. There is no safe level of lead exposure. Lead poisoning for any age is caused commonly by swallowing or breathing in lead or lead dust.

Lead can be found in all parts of our environment – the air, soil, water and even inside our homes.

  • Lead-based paint. Homes built in the U.S. before 1978 are likely to have some lead-based paint. When the paint peels and cracks, it makes lead dust. In addition, homes with lead-based paint that is disturbed from renovations and remodels create a high-risk environment for lead dust to spread.
  • Soil. Lead particles from leaded gasoline, exterior lead-based paint and industrial sources have contributed to increased levels of lead in the soil.
  • Water. Leaded water lines, solder and some plumbing fixtures could contain lead that over time can leach into the water lines of homes.
  • Jewelry, pottery and children’s toys. Lead is sometimes found in inexpensive jewelry, lead-glazed pottery and toys. Parents and caregivers should check with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) often for product recalls and safety news.
  • Workplace and hobby hazards. Some adults work in industries or have hobbies that expose them to lead. Parents and caregivers may unknowingly bring lead home on their hands, clothing, shoes and vehicle. Some examples include:
  • Traditional medicines and home remedies, foods and cosmetics. Lead is sometimes found in certain foods, spices, cosmetics and traditional medicines imported from other countries.

Lead is toxic to everyone, but children from birth to age 6 are most at risk because of their rapidly growing bodies and their developing brains and behaviors.

  • At this age, children’s brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead.
  • Children’s growing bodies absorb more lead.
  • Babies and young children often put their hands and other objects in their mouths. These objects can have lead dust on them.

Some groups of children are at an even higher risk, including children who live near highways, industrial sites or in older homes. Additionally, those with parents or household members who are exposed to lead at work or through a hobby are also at higher risk. Women of childbearing age should know that lead is dangerous to a developing fetus.

There is no safe level of lead exposure. A person’s age, nutritional status, the source of lead and length of exposure all contribute to how a person’s body handles the lead exposure and clinical effects that can occur.

Children are especially at risk due to their small size and developing brains. Lead poisoning has been linked to lower IQ scores, slowed growth and development, and learning and behavior problems in children exposed to even low levels of lead.

In adults, exposure to lead can cause:

  • Fertility problems (in men and women)
  • Irritability
  • High blood pressure
  • Anemia
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Nerve disorders
  • Memory and concentration problems

Lead poisoning can be hard to detect. Even people who seem healthy can have high blood levels of lead. Signs and symptoms usually don’t appear until dangerous amounts have accumulated.

Call the 24-Hour Poison Help Line for Additional Support:

1-800-222-1222

Lead Poisoning Prevention

Lead poisoning is 100% preventable. By taking some simple precautions, you can protect yourself and your family before harm is done.

  • Clean dusty surfaces. Clean your floors with a wet mop and wipe furniture, windowsills and other dusty surfaces with a damp cloth.
  • Eat a healthy diet. Regular meals and good nutrition might help lower lead absorption. Children especially need enough calcium, vitamin C and iron in their diets to help keep lead from being
    absorbed.
  • Keep your home well-maintained. If your home has lead-based paint, check regularly for peeling paint and fix problems promptly. Do not sand peeling paint, which could create lead-contaminated dust particles, and use a lead-certified contractor for remodeling or remediation.
  • Prevent children from playing on bare soil. Provide them with a sandbox that's covered when not in use. Plant grass or cover bare soil with mulch.
  • Remove shoes before entering the house. This will help keep lead-contaminated soil outside.
  • Wash hands and toys. To help reduce hand-to-mouth transfer of contaminated dust or soil, wash your children's hands after outdoor play, before eating and at bedtime. Wash their toys regularly.
  • Run cold water. If you have older plumbing containing lead pipes or fittings, run your cold water for at least a minute before using. Don't use hot tap water to make baby formula or for cooking.
  • Talk with your child’s doctor about a simple blood lead test. Lead poisoning can be hard to detect. Even people who seem healthy can have an elevated blood lead level. A simple blood test can diagnose lead poisoning. Children should get tested at 1 and 2 years old.

Your child’s doctor might recommend additional testing for those who live in older homes, have a higher lead exposure risk, or for children less than 6 years of age who haven’t been previously tested Source: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, CDC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention.

4 Rules of Prevention

Education

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Poison Center partnered together to develop the Hunter & Scout’s Poison Patrol – Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. The program includes a video and classroom activities as well as educational materials for parents/caregivers – because getting parents involved is critical in lead poisoning prevention.

Know the Risk

Related links

Carbon Monoxide
Household Products
Lead Poisoning
1-800-222-1222
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