Lead Poisoning Prevention
How do you know if your house may have lead paint?
Lead 
Lead poisons people, especially children. If lead gets into a child's body it could cause:
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a lower IQ
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kidney damage
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hearing loss
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growth problems
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anemia
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behavior problem
In the past couple of years many toys have been recalled due to possible high lead levels. Unfortunately, not all countries are as advanced as the United States when it comes to lead prevention. Many of the recalled toys were produced outside the U.S. where there is little or no regulations regarding lead and products made with lead-based paint.
How does lead get into our bodies? Lead dust can be inhaled, babies and toddlers may chew on paint chips or old toys with lead-based paint, some dishes may have lead in the glaze (again, made outside the U.S.), old houses with old pipes with lead solder can leach in to the water, dirt outside the home in high traffic areas or where old car parts are/were stored, storing food in cans which may have lead solder are all ways lead can get inside our bodies. Although children and pregnant women are especially at risk of poisoning, all people can become ill from lead poisoning.
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How do I know if my child or I have lead poisoning? All children between 6 months and 6 years old should be tested regularly for lead by a simple blood test drawn at the doctor's office, clinic or the health department. If your family is doing a lot of renovation in a home older than 1980 family members should consider being tested as well if they are having symptoms of fatigue, crankiness and stomachaches, although they may not show any symptoms.
How can I prevent lead poisoning? Follow these tips:
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Keep children away from peeling paint, broken plaster and window sills where paint dust accumulates.
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Damp mop floors and damp wipe surfaces 2 times a week to reduce lead dust.
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Wash yours and your children's hands often to rinse off any lead dust or dirt.
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Wash children's toys often, especially teething toys and outside toys.
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Use cold tap water instead of hot or warm to make infant formula, for cooking and drinking...let cold water run through the tap for about 1 minute to flush any possible lead picked up from pipes.
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Store all foods in glass or plastic reseal-able containers not in open cans.
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Use lead-free dishes...if they were not made in the U.S. have them tested or use for decoration only.
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Do not use chipped or cracked dishes to serve or store food.
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Be careful with your hobby supplies ...paints, glazes and solder for stained glass may contain lead.
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Shower and change clothes before coming home from work if you work at a job where you may be exposed to lead.
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Wash work clothes separately.
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Keep children and pregnant women away from remodeling and renovations sites of older homes as old paint can have lead in it.
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Call the health department environmental division or click on to the following link for more information about lead poisoning:
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