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University of Tennessee, KnoxvilleTrace: Tennessee Research and CreativeExchangeFamily UT Extension Publications3-2004SP421-What You Should Know about Lead andChildrenThe University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension ServiceFollow this and additional works at: http://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_agexfamiThe publications in this collection represent the historical publishing record of the UT Agricultural Experiment Station and do not necessarily reflectcurrent scientific knowledge or recommendations. Current information about UT Ag Research can be found at the UT Ag Research website.This Parenting, Children and Teens is brought to you for free and open access by the UT Extension Publications at Trace: Tennessee Research andCreative Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in Family by an authorized administrator of Trace: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange.For more information, please contact trace@utk.edu.Recommended Citation"SP421-What You Should Know about Lead and Children," The University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service, 04-0275SP421-10M-3/04(Rep) E12-5315-00-037-04, http://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_agexfami/32● One out of six children may have too much lead in his or her blood?● Even low doses of lead in children can lower intelligence and affect behavior?● Babies can be exposed to lead before birth?● You can prevent lead poisoning?Who is at the greatest risk forlead poisoning?Lead poisoning occurs most often amonginner-city, low-income children. However,children from any income level can be atrisk for lead poisoning.Why are children at thegreatest risk?● Young children often put theirhands and other objects intheir mouths. When dirt anddust containing lead is swallowed,the lead is absorbed into the blood.Blood carries lead throughthe body where it goes toorgans like the brain and heart.● Children’s growing bodiesabsorb lead easily.● Children’s brains andnervous systems are verysensitive to the damagingeffects of lead.What You Should KnowAbout Lead and ChildrenThe greatest risk of lead poisoningis among children, 6 months to 6years, who:● live in or often visit houses built before 1978.● live in housing built before 1978 withrecent or ongoing renovation or remodeling.● are siblings, housemates or playmates ofchildren known to have lead poisoning.● have parent or household members whoparticipate in a lead-related occupation orhobby.● live near highways or roads, active leadsmelters, battery recycling plants or otherindustries likely to result in release of leadinto the air.SP421Janie BurneyAssociate ProfessorFamily and Consumer SciencesDid you know—Agricultural Extension ServiceThe University of TennesseeWhy is lead a problem?Lead can damage the brain, nervous system andother organs of the body. It affects growth andbehavior.How do you know if your child haslead poisoning?Lead poisoning can be difficult to detect. Thebest way to find out if your child has leadpoisoning is to have a blood test at the healthdepartment or doctor’s office.The symptoms of lead poisoning depend on thelevel of lead in the blood. A very high level (70micrograms or more) may cause seizures, comaand death.Children with blood lead levels of 20 micro-grams or more may:● feel tired,● be less likely to play,● lose their appetites,● vomit,● sometimes complain of stomach pain or● become constipated.Many children may have very low blood leadlevels (10 micrograms or less) with no obvioussymptoms of lead poisoning. These childrenmay have:● decreased intelligence,● behavior and learning problems,● slow growth or● poor hearing.In many cases, children with no obvioussymptoms are never diagnosed or treated.How are babies exposed to leadbefore birth?Babies are exposed to lead in thewomb when their mothers havelead in their blood.Over a lifetime, womencan store lead in theirbodies. Some of thatlead can be passed tothe unborn babythrough the placenta.The transfer of lead to the baby is greatest during thelast three months of pregnancy when the baby’sgrowth is most rapid.What can a mother with lead in her blooddo to protect her baby?She can eat plenty of calcium-rich foods duringpregnancy. Much of the lead in her body may bestored in her bones. Like calcium, lead can leavebones and travel in the blood. If she gets plenty ofcalcium during pregnancy, she is less likely to losecalcium and lead from her bones than if she does notget enough calcium.MilkYogurtCheeseGreensDry beansSalmon and sardinesCream soupsPancakes, waffles, cornbread     and biscuitsMacaroni and cheeseCasseroles with milk and cheeseTacosPizzaGood Sources of CalciumHow can you protect your child from lead poisoning?Know the Sources of LeadLead may be found in many areas in and aroundyour home. Lead can be found in dust, paint andsoil. Other sources of lead include drinkingwater and food.Children develop leadpoisoning by swallow-ing lead if they puttheir fingers or toys intheir mouths afterbeing in the dust ordirt. Children also canswallow lead if theydo not wash theirhands before eating.Breathing lead con-taminated dust isanother way to get lead poisoning. Do not allowyour child to play in areas where dust or soilwith lead can be found.Take Your Clothes and Shoes Offat the DoorAdults who work in jobs that involve lead orhave hobbies that expose them to lead can bringlead home on their shoes and clothes.Do you work in a lead smelter, battery recycling,car repair or other jobs that may expose you tolead? Do you refinish furniture, stain glass,practice at indoor firing ranges or make pottery?If you do, you may be bringing lead into yourFoods With IronLean beef and porkIron fortified cerealsLiverChicken, turkey, fishGreen leafy vegetablesDry beans and peashome on your clothes or shoes. Remove clothes andshoes before entering your home and conduct theseactivities away from places your children live and play.Have Your Child’s Blood Checked for LeadYour child may not show symptoms of leadpoisoning. The only way to tell is by a blood test.Check with your healthcare provider or your localhealth department.Clean Hard Surfaces OftenWet mop and wet wipe hard surfaces, like floors,window sills and doors, using trisodium phosphatedetergent (found at hardware stores) or automaticdishwasher soap and water. Avoid spreading the dustas much as possible.Wash Your Child’s Hands, Toys, Pacifiersand BottlesYoung children often put their hands or objects intheir mouths. Keep your children’s hands as clean aspossible, especially when they eat and before they goto sleep.Feed Your Child Regular, NutritiousMeals and SnacksLess lead is absorbed when a child eats regularly.More lead is absorbed when the stomach is empty.To prevent calcium and lead from leaving bones andincreasing blood lead levels, include foods withcalcium every day. Include iron-rich foods every dayto decrease lead absorption.Whole grain and enriched breadPastaTap WaterIf you live in a housebuilt before 1986,have your tap waterchecked for lead. Ifyou have higher thanrecommended levelsof lead in yourwater:● Let the water run for a few minutes in themorning (or after the cold water has not beenused for several hours) to flush any standingwater out of your pipes.● Use only water from fully-flushed cold-watertaps for drinking and cooking.● To store water, collect drinking water inbottles at night after water has been fullyflushed from the tap.Food and Dishes● Do not store leftover foods in open cans,especially foods canned outside the UnitedStates.● Use pottery made outside the United Statesfor decoration only, unless you know it is freeof lead.● Do not use lead crystal or lead-glazed potteryor porcelain, especially with acidic foods.SoilIf soil around the home is likely to be lead-contaminated (such as around a home built before1978 or near a major highway):● Plant grass or other ground cover.● Plant bushes next to the house to keep childrenaway.● Make or find a sandbox with a solid bottom andtop cover and clean sand for children to play anddig in.Vinyl MiniblindsIf you have old miniblinds or miniblinds madeoutside the United States, throw them away. Or,contact the manufacturer about replacing them. Whenpurchasing miniblinds, look for information aboutlead on the package, such as “non-leaded” or “newnon-leaded formulation.”Lead is also found in some fishing weights, old and imported toys, artist’s paints,folk remedies and jewelry.Where else might you might find lead?For more information on preventing lead poisoning, contactyour county Extension office.The Agricultural Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color,age, national origin, sex, disability, religion or veteran status and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.COOPERATIVE EXTENSION WORK IN AGRICULTURE AND HOME ECONOMICS.The Institute of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and countygovernments cooperating in furtherance of May 8 and June 30, 1914.Agricultural Extension Service, Charles Norman, Dean.04-0275  SP421-10M-3/04(Rep) E12-5315-00-037-04

SP421-What You Should Know about Lead and Children

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SP421-What You Should Know about Lead and Children

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