What
is lead poisoning?.gif){kind=small}
Why
is lead poisoning dangerous? Who
is at risk for lead poisoning? Some
common myths about lead Common
sources of lead exposure in children Uncommon
sources of lead exposure in children Other
sources of lead exposure Common
symptoms of lead poisoning in adults Common
symptoms of lead poisoning in children Who
should be tested for possible lead poisoning? How
do I get my children tested for lead? Is
treatment available for lead poisoning? What
is the incidence of lead poisoning in California? What
should I do if I suspect there is lead in my home? Can
I remove lead pain from my home myself? How
can we reduce our risk of lead exposure?
What is lead
poisoning?Lead is a neurotoxic metallic element that can be absorbed by the body, primarily through the lungs and stomach. Lead poisoning occurs only when too much lead accumulates in the body. Generally, lead poisoning occurs slowly, resulting from the gradual accumulation of lead in bone and tissue after repeated exposure. However, it is important to note that young children absorb 50% of a lead ingestion while adults absorb only 10%.
Why is lead
poisoning dangerous?Left untreated, lead poisoning can damage many internal organs, including the kidney, nervous system and brain. Because of the possibility of permanent impairment, lead poisoning is particularly dangerous during the critical development periods of infants and young children under the age of 7 years.
Who
is at risk for lead poisoning?It is commonly believed that lead poisoning affects only the urban poor. While exposure risk is higher in deteriorating inner-city neighborhoods, this disease occurs in all social and economic groups. Middle-class children can become exposed to lead dust during renovations of older homes. In any case, children under the age of 3 are especially at risk because they crawl or play at ground level. They also put everything into their mouths and their small bodies absorb and accumulate toxic lead amounts more quickly than adults.
Some common
myths about lead
False: Lead poisoning develops
after repeated exposures to substances containing small amounts of lead, such as
paint chips, dust, soil or eating from lead-glazed dishes. Since 1977, paints
produced in the United States do not contain lead.
False: Pencil "lead" is now made of graphite, which contains no lead.
Common
sources of lead exposure in children
Uncommon
sources of lead exposure in children
Other sources
of lead exposure
Common
symptoms of lead poisoning in adults
Common
symptoms of lead poisoning in children
Who should be
tested for possible lead poisoning?
How do I get
my children tested for lead?Contact your physician to request a blood test specifically for lead levels. According to a statement released by the Center for Disease Control, data indicate some adverse effects have been documented in children with blood levels as low as 10 mcg/dl of whole blood. Call your local health department to see if your child is eligible for free testing through your local Child Health and Disability Program (CHDP).
Is treatment
available for lead poisoning?Yes, effective treatments to remove lead from the body are available through your physician. First, the blood is tested and, if the levels are too high, treatment can be started. A recent study demonstrated that a child's I.Q. could improve if blood lead levels are lowered by medical treatment.
What is the
incidence of lead poisoning in California?Fortunately, the incidence is low. Compared to the East Coast, California is a relatively new state. Most of the buildings are relatively new, thanks to the new home building trends of the last 20-25 years. California does not have the areas of concentrated industry that is seen on the East Coast. But we can never have false confidence that lead poisoning does not exist. If you have concerns, speak to your physician.
What should I
do if I suspect there is lead in my home?Have your home checked by a qualified inspector. Several kits that test for the presence of lead in various sources are now available. Local public health departments, government agencies and water quality agencies may offer programs, recommendations or additional information.
Can I remove
lead paint from my home myself?Lead paint removal should be done only by trained, certified professionals who are experienced in working with hazardous materials and special equipment.
How can we
reduce our risk of lead exposure?
Call: 1-800-876-4766
anytime, anyplace in California
California Poison Control
System
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This page last updated June 1999
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