Information for Health Care Providers

What are the health effects of lead poisoning?

• In children, even low levels of lead exposure can result in damage to the brain and nervous system, and cause behavior and learning problems.
• Very high levels of lead in children can cause seizures, coma and even death.
• Even children who seem healthy can have high levels of lead in their body.
• Lead is more dangerous to children for several reasons:
  • Babies and young children often put their hands and other objects in their mouth. These objects can have lead dust on them.
  • A child's growing body absorbs more lead than an adult's.
  • A child's brain and nervous system are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead.

• Exposure to lead can seriously harm a child’s health and cause well-documented adverse effects such as:

  • Damage to the brain and nervous system
  • Slowed growth and development
  • Learning and behavior problems
  • Hearing and speech problems

  There are often no signs or symptoms, but may includefollowing:

  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Weight loss
  • Seizures
  • Vomiting
  • Malaise (feeling unwell)
  • Constipation
  • Hearing loss
  • Abdominal pain
  • Lethargy (feeling tired)
  • Loss of appetite

What are common sources of lead exposure?

Lead-Based Paint

• Dust from lead-based paint is the most common source of lead poisoning for children in the U.S.
• The federal government banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978, but many homes and apartments built before 1978 still contain lead-based paint.
• Lead-based paint can be found inside and outside of single family homes, apartments, and both public and private housing built before 1978. It can also be found in homes that are in the city, country, or suburbs.
• Home renovation and repair activities that disturb lead-based paint can put children at great risk for exposure to hazardous lead dust if not done properly.

Soil Outside

• Children playing in yards can ingest or inhale lead dust from contaminated soil.
• Soil can absorb lead from exterior paint.
• Soil may be contaminated with lead from the past use of leaded gas in cars.

Household Dust

• Dust can contain lead from deteriorating lead-based paint or from soil tracked into a home.
• Dust can also be brought home on the clothes or equipment of an individual who has a hobby or job that involves work with lead.

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Drinking Water

• Plumbing may have lead or lead solder which can contaminate your water.
• You cannot see, smell, or taste lead. Boiling your water will not get rid of lead.
• Call your local health department or water supplier to find out about testing your water.

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Jobs and Hobbies

• Work and hobby sites where lead is used will have lead dust. Individuals can bring it home on their hands or clothes.
• Hobbies that use lead include making pottery, stained glass, jewelry making, refinishing furniture, home repair, and many others.
• Jobs that involve lead include battery recycling or manufacturing, smelting or welding, heating/air conditioning or ventilation maintenance, auto/radiator repair, and bridge painting.

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Consumer Products

• Some painted toys and old furniture contain lead.

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Lead Crystal or Lead-Glazed Pottery or Porcelain

• Food and liquids stored in lead crystal or lead-glazed pottery or porcelain may become contaminated when lead leaches in from these containers.

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Traditional or Folk Remedies

• Some traditional or folk remedies contain lead, such as "greta" and "azarcon". These items are sometimes used to treat an upset stomach.

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When should a child be tested for lead?