Childhood lead poisoning prevention

While everyone is exposed to lead in the environment, there are specific sources and ways in which people can be exposed to high amounts of lead:

• Paint: Dust from flaking lead-based paint is the primary source of lead exposure. Many homes were painted with lead-based paint until it was banned in 1977. Many homes in the US still have lead-based paint that is now peeling, flaking, or wearing away because it was used for so long. The dust or paint chips contain high levels of lead. Young children, who are at high risk for health effects from lead, may be exposed if they put the dust or paint chips in their mouth. If you have an older home that is under renovation, be aware that there is an increased risk for lead exposure.
• Workplace: Adults may be exposed to lead in their workplace. When these workers return home, they may bring lead dust into their house on their clothes or other personal belongings and expose family members to lead.
• Environment: Lead can contaminate water and soil. It can enter the body when someone swallows or breathes in anything contaminated with lead. Communities built near mining and smelting waste piles are a big source of lead exposure. Children can be exposed to lead if they play on or near these sites. Household dust or soil may also contain lead if you live near these sites.

Lead poisoning is the most serious and common disease of environmental origin among children who live in the US. Even though we know a lot about it, more people are screened, and a lot of efforts have been made to remove lead, lead exposure still occurs. In the US, environmental lead exposure affects up to one million preschool children. Health effects include decreased intelligence, behavioral and speech problems, anemia, decreased muscle and bone growth, poor muscle coordination, and hearing damage. High levels of lead damages the brain, nervous system, and kidneys which can cause many health problems.

Children younger than age 6 are at the highest risk for lead exposure as they tend to put their hands or other objects, which may be contaminated with lead dust, into their mouths.

Children who are African-American non-Hispanic, immigrants, and refugees are at higher risk for exposure to lead, as well as children who live at or below the poverty level in older housing; live in older, poorly-maintained rental properties; and children who live with parents or caregivers who are exposed to lead at work or have hobbies related to lead. Family members who work with or have hobbies related to lead can bring leaded dust into the home. In addition, people who are pregnant and exposed to lead can transfer the lead exposure to their unborn child.

Children are more at risk than adults to the effects of lead because their bodies are still growing and rapidly developing. Lead can hurt their development cognitively and physically.

Click here for the Utah childhood blood lead screening recommendations

It is important to figure out when the house or building where your child spends a lot of time was built, like grandparents or daycare. In houses built before 1978, you should assume the paint has lead unless tests show otherwise. 

These tips can help to reduce lead exposure:

• Talk to your state or local health department about testing paint and dust from your home for lead.
• Make sure your child does not have access to peeling paint or chewable surfaces painted with lead-based paint.
• Pregnant women and children should avoid spending time in housing built before 1978 that is being renovated. They should avoid taking part in activities that disturb old paint and not  help clean up paint debris after the work is completed.
• If you live in your home while it is being worked on, create barriers between the areas where you live and play and lead sources. Clean up all sources of lead and keep them away from children. Close and lock doors to keep children away from any paint that is chipping or peeling paint on walls. You can also use temporary barriers such as contact paper or duct tape to cover holes in walls or to block children's access to other sources of lead.
• Wash your children’s hands and toys regularly. Hands and toys can become contaminated from household dust or exterior soil. Both are known sources of lead.
• Household dust is a major source of lead. Wet-mop floors and wet-wipe flat surfaces every 2-3 weeks. Window sills and window wells can contain high levels of leaded dust. Wet-wipe these areas to keep them clean. If you can, keep your windows shut to prevent scratches on painted surfaces.
• Soil can be another source of lead. Don’t let children play in bare soil; if you can, give them a sandbox to play in instead. Plant grass on bare soil or cover the soil with grass seed, mulch, or wood chips. Until the bare soil is covered, move play areas away from the bare soil and away from the house. If you have a sandbox, cover it when it isn’t being used to prevent cats from using it as a litter box. This will also help protect children from exposure to animal waste.