What is lead?
Lead is an element found naturally in the Earth’s crust. In the past it was used in paints, plumbing, gasoline, construction materials and many other products. Lead is invisible, so we cannot see it, smell it, or feel it. However, because we know how it was used in the past, we have a good idea of places where large amounts of lead are still found.
Where is lead found?
Lead is commonly found in the paint of homes built before 1978, dust (especially dust from lead-based paint), old plumbing, drinking water, and dirt.
How can someone get lead poisoning?
Lead poisoning happens when people eat or breathe in products with lead or the dust from those products. Lead poisoning is dangerous and can cause serious health and developmental problems.
Who is at risk?
Children and pregnant women have the highest risk. Children are at risk because they are so small. Eating or breathing in just a small amount of paint with lead or lead dust can be harmful and cause lead poisoning in children under the age of 6. Pregnant women are also at risk because lead is also for dangerous for the unborn baby.
How do I keep my family safe from lead?
Wash your hands before eating.
Wash fresh produce well before eating.
Feed your family a variety of nutritious foods.
Avoid allowing your children to play with old toys and imported toys that may contain lead-based paint.
Ask your doctor about lead testing.
Where can I get screened?
At your child’s next doctor’s appointment, be sure to ask about getting a blood lead screening test. They may do this at the office or give you a slip to get it done at a lab that will send the results to your doctor.
-Valerie Marcellus, Nutritionist
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