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| Where does it come from? |
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Lead was commonly used in household paint before the 1950’s. It was not banned from household paint until 1977. So, it can still be found in the paint in older homes. Lead exposure can also occur from hobbies. It is used to create stained glass artwork and is still used in glazes for pottery.
Lead exposure can happen from retained bullets or fishing sinkers in the body, drinking water from lead pipes, and recycling old batteries.
Lead exposure can happen while at work too…Shipbuilders may be exposed, as well as those who work with lead solder. Lead based paint can still be used to paint bridges and ships. Auto mechanics may be exposed if they do radiator repairs.
Some folk remedies can also contain lead. |
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| How does lead get into the body? |
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Lead can be absorbed through the skin, by breathing it into the lungs, or by eating it. Adults are exposed usually by inhaling it, but kids are usually exposed by ingesting it.
Kids get toxic easier since they absorb 50% of the lead they ingest, where as adults only absorb 10% of the lead they ingest. Children can ingest loose paint chips or put items in their mouths that have been contaminated by lead (dust, paint, soil). |
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| How is lead toxic? |
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There is no purpose for lead in the human body. It interferes with important enzymes needed in the body to create components of blood. Lead decreases the ability of the body to carry iron. It is also toxic to the brain, nervous system and kidneys. Lead can also become part of the bones. Children are at increased risk for lead toxicity because of their high rate of growth and brain development. |
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| What is the presentation of lead toxicity? |
In children, they may only have decreased appetite, weight loss, vomiting, and irritability. Parents may notice that the children are not keeping up in school and are not growing at the same rate as other kids. Children with lead toxicity can have an anemia also. In severe cases seizures can also occur.
In adults, their presentation is usually different. They can have increased blood pressure, kidney problems, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and impaired concentration. |
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| How can I tell if the paint in my home has lead in it? |
You can by lead testing kits at many of the major hardware stores. This would be important to do if you have an older home and are undergoing renovations.
National Lead Information Center™ Clearinghouse maintained by EPA, the clearinghouse sends testing and laboratory information to those who request it. The phone number is (800) 424-LEAD.
If you think your water might contain lead, call either the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791 or your local health department or water supplier to find out about testing your water. |
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| How can a person be tested for lead? |
| Pediatricians conduct a survey to see if children are at risk for lead exposure. If any of the questions indicate a risk, the child’s blood is screened for lead. If an adult thinks they are lead toxic, their physician can check the blood for lead. |
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| Where can I obtain more information? |
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The National Lead Information Center (NLIC) provides the general public and professionals with information about lead hazards and their prevention at (800) 424-LEAD. Their website address is: http://www.epa.gov/lead/nlic.htm. |
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| How can I prevent lead toxicity? |
1. Shower or change clothes at work, prior to coming home, if you are exposed to lead in the workplace.
2. Keep children from chewing on painted surfaces or older painted toys.
3. Rinse any mops or sponges after cleaning in a dusty area that may contain lead dust.
4. If there is lead in the home, wash children’s toys frequently and try to keep the areas that they play in clean.
5. Wash window sills, window frames and floors regularly to decrease exposure to any lead containing dust.
6. If you have a hobby that involves lead, keep this area away from children, remove any exposed clothes, and wash exposed skin well prior to coming into the area with the children.
7. Keep lead fishing sinkers out of the reach of children to prevent ingestion. |
