How can lead poisoning be prevented?
Lead poisoning can be prevented by taking simple precautions around the house. These methods include the following steps: • Cleaning up paint chips and peeling paint. • Washing floors, countertops and window sills weekly with an all-purpose detergent or a detergent specifically formulated to remove lead dust. • Feeding children a diet high in iron, calcium and vitamin C and low in fat. • Offering children healthy snacks, such as fruit or pretzels, throughout the day so they will not put non-food items into their mouths. • Using proper safety measures when renovating or remodeling your house, like not using electric sanders or heat guns to remove paint or wallpaper. • Assuring that children and pregnant women do not enter the work area until renovations are complete and the area has been thoroughly cleaned. • Washing a child s hands, mouth and face and toys often. • Allowing the cold water to run for several minutes in the morning before using it for drinking, cooking or mixing infant f
Preventing children from ever being exposed to lead in their environment is the best way to prevent lead poisoning. Parents should learn about where lead can be found. Parents who think their child may have been exposed to lead should ask their doctors to test their child s blood for lead. A blood lead test is the only way to know for sure whether lead exists in your child s body.
Lead poisoning is one of the most easily preventable pediatric diseases. Below are simple measures you can take to reduce or even eliminate lead in your homes water: • Have your drinking water tested. If the test yields results of greater than 15 ppb lead contamination, take immediate action. However, even lower levels can add to your overall lead intake and produce harmful effects. • Flush your system before using water for drinking or cooking. If a tap has gone unused for more than six hours, lead can begin to build up in the water. Run cold water through the tap for 1-2 minutes before using the water for cooking or drinking. • As often as possible, use only cold water for cooking and drinking. Hot water can corrode lead from the plumbing more easily than cold water. If you need hot water, heat cold water on the stove rather than using hot water from the tap. • Replace any lead-soldered pipes in your home. If you have brass fixtures, be sure to flush water through them before using t
• Know the dangers of lead • Look for signs of chipping or flaking paint • Make sure children put only safe, clean items in their mouths • Serve well-balanced meals—low in fats, high in iron and calcium • Don’t allow children to eat snow or icicles • Use safe interior paints on toys, walls and furniture • Use pottery only for decoration if you are unsure about the glaze • Store food in glass, plastic, or stainless steel containers—not in open cans • Have your water tested • Have children wash their hands before eating • If you work with lead, shower and change before going home and wash your clothes separately • Don’t let children wear imported jewelry that may contain lead To learn more about lead poisoning, click here to visit our Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program.
