Prevent Lead Poisoning
Unfortunately, lead poisoning can and does still happen. However, it is preventable! Continue reading to learn more about why it’s important to prevent lead poisoning and how you can protect yourself and your child(ren).
If you live in St. Louis City and your home was built before 1978, request a lead inspection! Call 314-622-4800. St. Louis City will provide a free home inspection to residents in St. Louis where children under six or a pregnant person resides.
What does lead poisoning do?
Lead poisoning in children can cause serious harm. Even low levels of lead have been shown to negatively impact a child’s intelligence, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement. Other damage includes:
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- damage to the brain and nervous system
- slowed growth and development
- learning and behavior problems
- hearing and speech problems
- lower IQ
- decreased ability to pay attention
- under-performance in school
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How can you prevent lead poisoning?
The leading cause of lead poisoning in children in St. Louis: children getting lead dust from old paint onto their hands and then into their mouths.
Most lead comes from paint in homes built before 1978, as that’s the year lead-based paints were banned. In St. Louis City, 90% of houses were built prior to 1978.
When paint peels and cracks, it creates dust. Any surface covered with paint is at risk of creating lead dust including windows, doors, porches, fences, and cabinets. Lead poisoning cases increase in the summer because windows covered in old paint are opened and closed, creating dust. Children then grab the window sill, getting lead dust on their hands and in their mouths.
Lead can also be ingested by drinking water from lead pipes, faucets, and plumbing fixtures. Household plumbing made prior to 1986 may contain lead.
St. Louis City offers free lead inspections to residents in St. Louis where children under six or a pregnant person resides. Request a lead inspection online or call 314-622-4800.
Some jobs and hobbies can expose you to lead and you may accidentally bring lead dust home, exposing your family. Below is a list of some potentially dangerous jobs. For a more complete list, visit the CDC website.
JOBS:
- Construction and renovation jobs can put you at risk for lead poisoning, especially when working with older homes and buildings.
- Manufacturing products containing or coated with lead (metal equipment parts, batteries, bullets, circuits)
- Melting products containing lead (scrap metal, incinerators, foundries/casting)
- Painting or sanding industrial equipment and steel structures (bridges and water towers)
HOBBIES:
- Casting or soldering (bullets, fishing weights, stained glass)
- Mixing or applying glaze or pigments containing lead
- Shooting firearms for target practice
- Drinking home-distilled liquids (moonshine)
Most children and adults exposed to lead have no symptoms. It’s important to contact your medical provider to discuss any possible situation in which you or your child may have been exposed to lead. A simple blood lead test can be conducted. The sooner an exposure is caught the better! As levels of lead in the blood increase, adverse effects from lead may also increase.
For detailed information about the blood test and results, visit the CDC website.
Lead has been found in certain foods, cosmetics, and traditional medicines imported from other countries.
Unfortunately, some candies contain lead due to ingredients such as chili powder and tamarind. Additionally, lead can get into candy when drying, storing, and grinding ingredients are done improperly. Ink from plastic or paper candy wrappers may also contain lead that then seeps into candy.
Lead has been found in powders and tablets traditionally used by East Indian, Indian, Middle Eastern, West Asian, and Hispanic cultures given for arthritis, infertility, upset stomach, colic, and other illness. Traditional medicines include herbs, minerals, metals, or animal products. Always discuss treatment for ailments with your medical provider.
Additional information can be found on the CDC website.
Lead can be found in some imported and antique toys. While lead was banned for use on products marketing to children in 1978, not all countries followed suit. Therefore, there is a chance of lead exposure when playing with imported toys. Additionally, toys that have been passed down by older generations may contain lead and should be avoided. Such toys include items made of tin, brass, or pewter alloys.
Some children like to play with jewelry. However, lead is often used in jewelry to make the product heavier, brighten color, and stabilize or soften plastic. Due to the tendency of smaller children to chew or suck on jewelry, children shouldn’t be allowed to wear or play with jewelry. You can visit the CDC website for additional information.
