Health Tips: Prevent lead poisoning

Lead is a highly toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and around our homes. Exposure to lead may cause a range of health effects, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities to seizures and death. Children younger than six are most at risk because their bodies grow so quickly.

Research suggests that the primary sources of lead exposure for most children are:

Deteriorating lead-based paint
Lead-contaminated dust
Lead-contaminated residential soil

Talk to your state or local health department about testing paint and dust from your home for lead. The Allegheny County Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program performs blood screenings for lead.

Pregnant women and children should not be in housing built before 1978 that is undergoing
renovation.

Lead poisoning can be prevented. There are many ways you can reduce your child’s exposure to lead:

	Make sure your child does not have access to peeling paint or chewable surfaces covered with lead-based paint.
	Create barriers between living and play areas and lead sources. Until lead paint is removed, clean and isolate all sources of lead. Close and lock doors to keep children away from chipping or peeling paint on walls.
	Regularly wash children’s hands and toys. Hands and toys may become contaminated from household dust or exterior soil. Both are known lead sources.
	Regularly mop floors and windowsills. Because household dust is a major source of lead, you should mop floors and wet-wipe horizontal surfaces every 2 to 3 weeks. Windowsills and basement window wells may contain high levels of leaded dust.
	Prevent children from playing in bare soil. Plant grass on areas of bare soil or cover the soil with grass seed, mulch, or wood chips.