When you think of lead poisoning, old houses with peeling paint probably come to mind. While this is true, there are also other, sneakier sources of lead that many of us use in our daily lives. These items can make us sick if we are not careful. Lead poisoning can have severe, long-lasting effects, especially on young children and pregnant women.
Common Sources of Lead Poisoning
Car and House Keys
It is important to make sure your children do not have access to your keys. Children often like to put items in their mouth. Your child should never put keys in their mouths due to risk of lead exposure. Keys can also give off lead dust, which is too small for us to see on our fingers. Don’t worry – you can get rid of it by washing your hands with soap and water.
Candy, Seasonings, and Spices from Other Countries
Some countries have different laws about lead than we do. Because of this, we need to be careful. It is safer to use candies, spices, and seasonings that have been approved by the FDA and are available in grocery stores rather than spices in international marketplaces.
Cigarettes and Smoke from Tobacco Products
Lead has been found in tobacco. When it is heated up, lead particles become excited and move around faster. When you light a cigarette (including e-cigarettes), the lead from the tobacco is not only entering your body, but also the air around you as secondhand smoke.
Traditional Pottery and Clay Cookware
Clay pottery, traditional cooking pots and dishes with a glazed finish, and traditional painted pottery can all contain high amounts of lead. Lead can be found in both the ceramic glaze and the paint. When you put something hot or acidic (such as salsa) into the dish, lead can leach out into the food.
Vinyl Windows Blinds
Some older vinyl window blinds that were imported from other countries contain lead. Vinyl window blinds have a “plasticky” appearance, and when they become old or damaged, can give off a powdery substance. In some imported vinyl blinds, this powdery substance can contain lead dust.
Hunted Meat
Lead ammunition can contaminate hunted meat when it breaks up into small pieces. You can keep yourself and your family safe by eating away from the entry/exit wound.
Recalled Products
Some products can be recalled for containing lead above the federal hazard limit. To check if any products you’ve purchased have been recalled for lead, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission website.
Take-Home Lead from Some Jobs
Lead dust can accidentally be brought home from some jobs. Lead dust is small and can settle on your clothes and skin without you knowing. You can leave lead dust in your car, too, and even get it on your child’s car seat when buckling them in. There is good news, though – simple precautions can prevent this from happening. If you work with lead, leave your work shoes outside your home and launder your clothes separately. Make sure you have removed all your work clothes and washed your hands before playing with your children.
Examples of jobs that may have take-home lead include:
- Construction and Renovation
- Battery Plants
- Automotive and Heavy Machinery
- Industrial Painting
Kaolin / “White Dirt” and Other Clays
Sometimes pregnant women have cravings they otherwise would not. One of these cravings can be clay, which is a type of pica. Eating clay during pregnancy can also be learned as a family tradition, perhaps as an “iron supplement”, but be warned – the iron in these clays is not readily absorbed by your body, and can bind to other iron in your body, preventing it from being absorbed, too. This can cause anemia, where your body does not have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen.
Essential Information to Help Prevent Lead Exposure
Who is Most at Risk?
- Young Children: Their growing bodies absorb lead more easily, and their developing brains and nervous systems are particularly vulnerable.
- Pregnant Women: Lead can cross the placenta, putting unborn babies at risk of developmental issues.
Symptoms of Lead Poisoning
Lead poisoning can be hard to detect at first because symptoms may not appear until dangerous amounts have accumulated. Symptoms in children can include:
- Developmental delay
- Learning difficulties
- Irritability
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
Prevention Tips for Families
Cleaning Up Lead Dust in Your Home
If you think you may have lead dust in your home, don’t worry – it is easy to clean up! All you need is soap, water, and disposable paper towels. Simply wipe down the area with soapy water. Be sure the towels are disposable so you throw the lead dust away.
Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter. Lead dust particles are very small, and regular vacuums will just blow the lead dust around.
Remember – it is important to remove the source of the lead dust to prevent it from being a recurring problem in your home!
Here are a few more tips on how to prevent lead dust from being an issue in your home:
- Maintain Cleanliness: Regularly clean floors, windowsills, and other surfaces to reduce dust and soil tracked into the home. Use a damp cloth to dust and avoid dry sweeping.
- Wash Hands and Toys: Frequent handwashing with soap and water, especially before meals and after playing outside, can reduce the risk of ingesting lead. Also, regularly clean toys and pacifiers.
Nutritional Tips
A healthy diet can help reduce lead absorption. Ensure your family gets enough:
- Calcium: Found in dairy products, green leafy vegetables, and fortified foods.
- Iron: Present in lean meats, beans, and fortified cereals.
- Vitamin C: Enhances iron absorption and can be found in fruits and vegetables like oranges, strawberries, and bell peppers.
WIC Support
WIC offers valuable resources and support for families, including:
- Nutritional Education: Guidance on a healthy diet to combat lead absorption.
- Health Screenings: Regular check-ups for children to monitor lead levels.
- Food Assistance: Access to nutritious foods that can help mitigate the effects of lead.
Seeking Medical Help
If you suspect that your child has been exposed to lead, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Blood tests can determine lead levels, and early intervention can help prevent long-term damage.
By staying informed and taking proactive steps, you can protect your family from the dangers of lead poisoning!
For more information, contact your District Lead Poisoning Prevention Coordinator, Bri Young, at 470-487-0858 or via email at Brianna.Young2@dph.ga.gov. Working together, we can ensure a healthier future for our children and communities.