Lead Poisoning Presents Health Hazards For Children (June 2006)

 Annually, lead poisoning adversely affects thousands of children. According to the Michigan Department of Community Health, most homes built before 1978 contain lead paint which, when ingested, can cause serious health, behavior, and learning problems.

Most children are exposed to lead through the dust from old paint on walls, cupboards, and windows. Over time, the dust falls to the floor and gets on children’s hands and toys. Lead enters their bodies when they place their hands or toys in their mouth.

Following are tips on how you can keep your child safe from lead poisoning.

• Wash your child’s hands, toys, and bottles often.
• Keep dust and dirt off floors, window sills, and other surfaces.
• Run very cold tap water for 20 seconds before drinking or cooking.
• Have the child’s play area tested for lead.
• Have your home checked for lead hazards.

Children usually have their blood tested for lead as part of their regular “well” visits at ages 1 and 2, but many youngsters in the greater Lansing area may not be screened. Since our community has a large number of homes constructed prior to 1978, it is important for parents to have their children tested for possible lead poisoning.

For additional information on how you can safeguard your child from lead, contact Chris Nelson or Brenda Matson with the Ingham County Health Department’s Lead Control Program (517-887-4308).

---Furnished by Ingham County Great Start

Safeguarding Your Child From Lead Poisoning (June 2006 - Short Version)

The Ingham County Health Department offers the following tips to safeguard your child against lead poisoning.

• Wash your child’s hands, toys, and bottles often.
• Keep dust and dirt off floors, window sills, and other surfaces.
• Run very cold tap water for 20 seconds before drinking or cooking.
• Have the child’s play area tested for lead.
• Have your home checked for lead hazards, particularly if it was constructed prior to 1978.

 For more information, call Chris Nelson or Brenda Matson at the Ingham County Health Department’s Lead Control Program (517-887-4308).

 ---Furnished by Ingham County Great Start

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IS YOUR CHILD SAFE FROM LEAD POISONING?
LEARN HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY (2007)

WHAT CAUSES LEAD POISONING?

There are many places in a home that could put babies and children in danger of lead poisoning.  Lead paint was used in many homes built before 1978. The older the home, the more likely that windows, cupboards, doors, porches, and outdoor surfaces contain lead paint. 

Children are most often poisoned by lead dust and lead paint in older homes.  Lead dust can come from disturbing areas with lead paint, opening and closing windows, and through normal wear and tear of painted areas. Lead dust falls to the floor and gets on children’s hands and toys.  It enters their bodies when they put their hands or toys into their mouths. 

We know how dangerous lead is. Lead poisoning can cause health and behavior problems in young children.  It can make them less able to learn when they get to school. Lead poisoning can affect a child for a lifetime.  The good news is that there are things you can do to keep your child safe from lead.

HOW CAN I TELL IF MY CHILD HAS LEAD POISONING?

A lead poisoned child may seem healthy or have any of these signs:

• Upset stomach
• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Constipation
• Hearing problems
• Weight loss
• Hyperactivity
• Irritability
• Difficulty sleeping

WHEN SHOULD MY CHILD BE TESTED FOR LEAD POISONING?

Many children have blood lead tests as part of their regular care by a doctor or clinic.  These tests are important for children who live or spend time in older houses which may have lead paint.  Children should be tested for lead poisoning at one and two years of age or more often depending on their contact with sources of lead.

WHAT CAN I DO TO PROTECT MY CHILD?

•    Wash your child’s hands, bottles, pacifiers and toys often.
•    Take off shoes when going into the house.
  
•      Keep dust and dirt off of floors, window sills and other surfaces.
•       Use very cold tap water for drinking and cooking.
•       Make sure children eat four to six small meals a day. Foods such as lean red meat, chicken, fish, milk, cheese, yogurt, collard greens, oranges, grapefruits, tomatoes, peppers, cereals and dried fruit. Low fat foods are best for children over the age of two years.
  
•      Check your home for lead hazards.
•       Test the dirt in child play areas for lead.
  
•      Talk to your landlord about fixing peeling and chipping paint.
•       Learn how to safely remove lead paint.
•       Avoid exposure to lead dust when remodeling by wetting work areas.
•       Do not use a power sander, open-flame torch, heat gun above 1,100°F, dry scraper or dry sandpaper on painted surfaces that may contain lead.

SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Answers to questions about lead poisoning.
Help to get your child tested for lead.
Lead awareness and outreach to community-based organizations and the public
Lists of certified contractors, risk assessors and lead inspectors for professional lead hazard control work.
List of approved lead training classes.
Referrals to local, state and national programs.

To learn more about lead poisoning prevention and blood lead testing, please contact:

Christine Nelson
Ingham County Health Department
5303 S. Cedar Street
Lansing, MI  48909
            (517) 887-4661
cnelson@ingham.org

This information in this article was provided by:  www.michigan.gov/mdch. 
To view other printed materials about Lead Poisoning Prevention, please go to:  www.michigan.gov/leadsafe.

 ---Furnished by Ingham County Great Start

IS YOUR CHILD SAFE FROM LEAD POISONING?

LEARN HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY (2007)

Children are most often poisoned by lead dust and lead paint in older homes.  Lead paint was used in many homes built before 1978.  The older the home, the more likely that windows, cupboards, doors, porches, and outdoor surfaces contain lead paint. 

We know how dangerous lead is. Lead poisoning can cause health and behavior problems in young children.  The good news is that there are things you can do to keep your child safe.  What can you do to protect your child? 

•       Wash your child’s hands, bottles, pacifiers and toys often.
  
•       Take off shoes when going into the house. 
•       Keep dust and dirt off of floors, window sills and other surfaces.
•       Use very cold tap water for drinking and cooking.
•       Check your home for lead hazards. 
•       Talk to your landlord about fixing peeling and chipping paint.
•       Learn how to safely remove lead paint.
•       Avoid exposure to lead dust when remodeling by wetting work areas.
•       Do not use a power sander, open-flame torch, heat gun above 1,100°F, dry scraper or dry sandpaper on painted surfaces that may contain lead. 

To learn more about lead poisoning prevention and blood lead testing, please contact Christine Nelson at (17) 887-4661 or cnelson@ingham.org.

  ---Furnished by Ingham County Great Start