What Is Lead Poisoning?
Lead poisoning is caused by swallowing or breathing in lead. Lead is poison when it gets into the body. Lead can stay in the body for a long time. Young children absorb lead more easily than adults. The harm done by lead may never go away.
Lead in the body can:
- Hurt the brain, kidneys, and nervous system
- Slow down growth and development
- Make it hard to learn
- Damage hearing and speech
- Cause behavior problems
How Do Children Become Lead Poisoned?
Most of the lead poisoning comes from lead paint dust in older homes. Many homes built before 1978 have lead paint on the inside and outside of the building.
When old paint peels and cracks, it creates lead paint chips and lead dust. Lead dust is created by opening and closing old windows.
Lead dust collects on the floor, surfaces and toys. Lead gets into a child’s body when he puts his lead-contaminated hands and toys in his mouth. Children can also breathe in lead dust. Children between the ages of 9 months and 6 years are most at risk.
Important: Home repairs and renovations also create lead dust.
See: Renovating your home safely
How will I know if my child has lead poisoning?
Most children who have lead poisoning do not look or act sick. A blood lead test is the only way to know if your child has lead poisoning. Ask your doctor to test your child for lead. Some children with high lead levels may have:
- Upset stomach
- Trouble eating or sleeping
- Headache
- Trouble paying attention
Where can I go to have my child tested?
Your child’s doctor should test your child at ages 9-12 months, and again at age 2. If your child has not had a lead test, ask the doctor to test your child.
What is a lead test?
In a lead test, a blood sample is taken from the child’s finger or arm. The test measures how much lead is in your child’s blood. Blood taken from the finger is called a capillary sample. Blood taken from the arm is called a venous sample. A venous sample is more exact. Ask your doctor to test your child for lead. If your child has a lead level 10 or above, and the nurse took blood from your child's finger, your child should have a second test with a venous sample.
When should children be tested for lead?
Every child in New York is recommended to be tested for lead. The first test must be done between the ages of 9 and 12 months. Children must be tested again at age 2. If your child is at high risk for lead poisoning, s/he may be tested until age 6.
What does my child’s blood lead level mean?
A blood lead level tells you how much lead is in your child’s body. Most children have lead levels under 10.
A blood lead level of 10 or more is not safe.
Lead Levels of 10-44:
- Most children will not look or act sick.
- The doctor may give your child iron. Talk to your doctor about learning or development problems.
- It is important to find and fix the lead hazards in your home. Have your home tested for lead.
- Your child needs to be tested for lead a second time. If your child’s level is 10-14, test your child again within 1 to 3 months. If the level is 15-24, test your child again within 1 to 3 months. If your child’s lead level is 25-44, test your child again within 2 weeks to 1 month.
Lead Levels of 45 or more:
A child under 6 years old with a lead level of 45 or more needs medical treatment right away.
- Your child may have to stay in the hospital. The doctor may give your child medicine to help get the lead out of their body. This is called “chelation.”
- Some children may have trouble speaking, hearing, or paying attention. Ask your doctor about learning problems. You may need a special education plan for your child.
- If your child is lead poisoned, your home must be tested for lead. An inspector from LPPP will check your home for lead. If there is lead in your home, it must be fixed.
- Your child needs to be tested for lead again after treatment. Test your child again within 7 to 10 days after chelation, and then every 1 to 2 months.
How is lead poisoning treated?
There are different types of medical treatment for lead poisoning. For lead levels of 45 or more, the doctor may give your child iron or medicines that remove the lead from the blood. This is called “chelation.” You may want to have your child treated by a doctor with special knowledge and experience in lead poisoning.
Follow-up care may last for many months. The doctor may tell you to change your child’s diet and add more foods with iron and calcium. During and after treatment, the doctor will test your child again to see if the blood lead levels have changed.
For More Information Call: The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program 1-800-242-5865
Renovating Your Home Safely
Sources of Lead Besides Lead Paint