Lead poisoning is still a serious risk for children. The good news is that lead poisoning can be prevented.
What is Lead?
Lead is a metal in many products that can poison people, especially babies and young child.
What can lead do to my child?
No level of lead is safe in the body. Any amount can make your child sick now or cause problems later. Lead in the body can cause things like:
- learning and behavioral problems
- inteligencia reducida
- crecimiento lento
- hearing and speech problems
- digestive problems
Can lead affect my baby if I am pregnant?
Too much lead in your body can put you baby at risk. You may be at higher risk for
- aborto espontáneo
- cause your baby to be born too early or too small
- hurt your baby’s brain, kidney’s and nervous system
- cause your child to have learning or behavior problems
How can I know if my child has lead in their body?
The only way to know if your child has been around lead is with a simple blood test. Talk to your child’s doctor or nurse about testing. There is no safe level of lead. A test helps find lead early so you can take steps to keep your child healthy.
What is the most common source of lead?
The most common source of lead is old paint. Homes built before 1978 should be checked by a lead-certified professional.
Use lead-safe work methods, or hire a lead-safe contractor, for renovation, repair and painting projects.
Keep paint in good condition; paint over flaking or crumbling paint.
How can I protect your family from lead exposure?
- Clean often. Regularly wet-mop floors, wipe windowsills and other surface areas
- Wash your hands often, especially before meals
- Remove shoes before entering your home to avoid tracking in soil that may contain lead
- Take precautions if you work with lead in your job or hobby: change clothes and shower before you go home
- Run tap water until it feels cold. Use only cold water to drink and for cooking or use a certified water filter
- Eat foods high in calcium, iron, and vitamin C
- Talk to your doctor about lead poisoning if you have concerns
Links to websites or resources
Salt Lake County Lead Home Visiting Program: The Salt Lake County Health Department offers programs that help doctors test children younger than 6 years for lead poisoning. If a child lives in Salt Lake County and has a blood test result of 3.5 µg/dL (micrograms per deciliter) or above, they can receive services from Salt Lake County’s Lead Home Visiting Program. This program offers visits for families to teach them about lead poisoning and to find and reduce possible sources of lead in their homes. https://www.saltlakecounty.gov/health/healthy-living/healthy-places/lead-poisoning
Utah Department of Health and Human Services: Provides information for parents on how to prevent childhood lead poisoning. https://epi.utah.gov/lead-poisoning-prevention/
University of Utah: What to know about lead poisoning in children article for parents.