What can parents do to prevent their children from getting lead poisoning?
• Have them wash their hands frequently, especially before eating or after playing outside or on the floor. • Wash toys and other objects they handle and put in their mouths. • Take off shoes and leave them at the door. • Give them a nutritious diet high in iron and calcium and low in fat. Iron and calcium block lead from getting into red blood cells and being carried around the body. • Clean floors and window sills by using a mop or sponge and detergent. Sweeping, dusting, and vacuuming only push lead dust around, and don’t remove it. Recent research shows special detergents are not needed. • If they work in a job that uses lead, shower and change clothes before leaving work. Wash work clothes separately from the other family laundry. • Keep children away from hobbies that use lead. Keep children out of the workshop, or clean-up carefully after using lead.
