The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program in Newark

What is Lead? Lead is a poisonous metal that can be absorbed by the body, primarily through the lungs and stomach. Lead poisoning occurs only when too much lead accumulates in the body. Generally, lead poisoning occurs slowly, resulting from the gradual accumulation of lead in bone and tissue after repeated exposure.

Who is at Risk for Lead Poisoning? Children under the age of six years old are more vulnerable because they are growing so rapidly because at that age children tend to put their hands and objects into their mouth. Children living in old, deteriorating housing. Lead- based paint is still the major source of childhood lead poisoning. More than half of Contra Costa cases have been linked to lead-based paint. Statewide percentages are even higher. Pregnant Women or Women who may become pregnant

Who should be tested for possible lead poisoning? Children with learning or behavioral problems Children who have a sibling, housemate or playmate being followed or treated for an elevated lead level. Children who live in or regularly visit a house with peeling or chipping paint built before This also includes day-care, pre-school or the babysitter's house. Children living near environmental sources of lead, such as battery manufacturing plants, lead smelters, battery recycling plants or other lead industries

What Every Parent Should Know About Lead Poisoning In Children For children at risk for lead exposure, a simple blood test can prevent a lifetime spoiled by the irreversible damage caused by lead poisoning. Lead poisoning can cause learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and at very high levels, seizures, coma, and even death. Children between 12 and 36 months of age have a lot of hand to mouth activity, so if there is lead in their homes, they are more likely to take it in than are older children. One of the most important risk factors for lead exposure is the age of housing. Over 80 percent of all homes built before 1978 in the U.S. have lead-based paint in them. The older the house, the more likely it is to contain lead-based paint and a higher concentration of lead in the paint. According to recent CDC estimates, 890,000 U.S. children age 1-5 have elevated blood lead levels, and more than one-fifth of African-American children living in housing built before 1946 have elevated blood lead levels. These figures reflect the major sources of lead exposure: deteriorated paint in older housing, and dust and soil that are contaminated with lead from old paint and from past emissions of leaded gasoline.

Sources of Lead Soil Dirt and Dust Pesticides Paint Windowsills Tap Water Old painted toys and furniture Greta Azarcon Gasoline Additives Food can solder Ceramic Glaze

Effects of Lead Poison? Behavior Problems Anemia Fatigue Depression Damage to the nervous system, kidneys, Brain and/or hearing Speech and language problems Developmental delay Low I.Q.

Lead Poisoning Prevention Clean household surfaces and floors often by wet wiping, not sweeping, which can kick up lead dust. Put duct tape or contact paper over peeling paint and plaster. Wash your children’s hands often, especially before eating, naps, bedtime and any occasion when their hands are near their mouths. Frequently wash items children put in their mouths, including bottles, pacifiers, toys and blankets Flush lead from drinking water by running cold water for about one minute before using it. Feed children foods high in iron and calcium, which can reduce the body’s digestion of lead.

Treatment for Lead Poison Testing – Contact your physician or local health department to request a blood test specifically for lead levels. Chelation therapy is the most common treatment when lead poisoning levels have reached an elevated level.

What the public and parents can do to reduce blood lead levels Ask a doctor to test your child if you are concerned about your child being exposed to lead. Talk to your state or local health department about testing paint and dust from your home for lead if you live in a house or apartment built before 1978, especially if young children live with you or visit you. Damp-mop floors, damp-wipe surfaces, and frequently wash a child’s hands, pacifiers, and toys to reduce exposure to lead. Use only cold water from the tap for drinking, cooking, and for making baby formula. Hot water is more likely to contain higher levels of lead, and most of the lead in household water usually comes from the plumbing in your house, not from the local water supply.