What is Lead Poisoning?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2024, approximately 500,000 children in the United States between the ages of 1 and 5 had elevated blood lead levels.
Even children that seem healthy can have high levels of lead in their bodies. Children can get lead in their bodies by either ingesting lead dust, soil tainted with lead, or paint chips with lead in them. Fortunately, lead poisoning is a totally preventable disease. With some precautions, you may reduce your child's risk of lead poisoning.
How Does Lead Affect the Body?
Lead poisoning can affect just about every system in the body yet often has no obvious symptoms. The following are some of the most common symptoms of lead poisoning. But each child may experience symptoms differently. Lead poisoning may cause:
- Damage to the brain and nervous system
- Behavior and learning problems
- Slowed growth
- Hearing problems
- Headaches and ongoing stomach pain
- Anemia (low red blood cell count)
Lead is also harmful to adults, who may have:
- Difficulties during pregnancy
- Reproductive problems in both men and women
- High blood pressure
- Digestive problems
- Nerve disorders
- Memory and concentration problems
- Muscle and joint pain
Very high levels of lead may also cause seizures, coma and death. The symptoms of lead poisoning may look like other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your child's doctor for diagnosis and management.
How Do People Come in Contact With Lead?
Children often put their hands and other objects in their mouths that can have lead-contaminated dust or paint chips on them. Their growing bodies absorb more lead. Their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead.
Children under 6 years old who live in housing built before 1978 are especially at risk, but about 30% of children with lead poisoning were exposed outside of their home. Also, recent immigrants who may live in older housing, children living near industrial sites, and those whose parents work in industries involving lead are at higher risk.
What Should You Do If You Think Your Home Has Lead?
- Have young children tested for lead, even if they seem healthy.
- Make sure your entire family washes their hands before eating and going to bed.
- Wash children's bottles, pacifiers and toys often.
- Make sure children eat healthy foods with enough iron and calcium. These minerals help decrease how much lead is absorbed.
- Have your home checked for lead hazards, including testing water, paint and dust.
- Clean floors, windowsills, and other surfaces with soapy water often.
- Wipe dirt off shoes or remove shoes before entering your home.
- Talk with your landlord about fixing surfaces with peeling or chipping paint.
- Take precautions to avoid exposure to lead dust when remodeling or renovating (call 1-800-424-LEAD for guidelines).
- Do not use a belt-sander, propane torch, dry scraper or dry sandpaper on painted surfaces that may have lead.
- Do not try to remove lead-based paint yourself. Have it professionally removed.
How Can My Child Be Tested for Lead Exposure?
If you think your child could be exposed to lead, get your child tested. A simple blood test can detect high levels of lead. This test is important for:
- Children of any age, especially those who are 9 months to 2 years old.
- Family members who you think might have high levels of lead.
Your child's doctor can test your child's blood levels. The tests are inexpensive and usually covered by health insurance. Your child's doctor will explain the test results. Treatment can include changes in diet, home repairs, medications or a hospital stay.
For More Information
You can also contact the Cincinnati Drug and Poison Information Center fabout concerns you may have about lead poisoning. Call 513-636-5111 or toll free 1-800-222-1222. The Environmental Health Clinic provides care to children with lead poisoning in the Cincinnati area 513-803-3688.
