How to Detect and Prevent Lead Poisoning

Lead poisoning remains the top environmental hazard facing young children although serum levels of lead in children have fallen consistently in the last decade . More than 400,000 kids under age 6 have blood lead levels serious enough to affect intelligence, behavior and development, according to the National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH), a division of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

According to the NCHH, certain groups of American children are at much higher risk for lead poisoning:

• Children who live in housing built before 1978; lead-based paint was banned that year

• Children of low-income families, who are more likely to live in older homes

• Mexican-American and African-American children, who have two to four times the risk of white children living in the same types of housing

About 80 percent of homes built before 1978 may contain lead based paint. Children may be exposed to lead from contaminated soil, dust, and deteriorating plumbing. Lead has even turned up in plastic toys, crayons and plastic mini-blinds.

The younger the child, the greater the risk -- developing nervous systems are especially vulnerable. Young children are also more likely to play in contaminated soil or put their hands and other dust-covered objects in their mouths.

What can you do?

• If you live in a risky environment ask  your doctor about testing your child's blood between 6 and 12 months, or at any age if you suspect lead poisoning.

• If you rent a home built before 1978, notify your landlord of peeling or chipping paint. Clean up paint chips immediately with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter. These cleaners can be rented.

• If you have lead in your soil, clean or remove shoes before entering your home to avoid tracking in soil.

• Do not store food or drink in pottery that may not have been fired correctly or in older pewter vessels (lead has been removed from pewter made in the last few years).

If you live in an older home:

• Ask your health department about testing paint and dust from your home for lead.

• At least once a week, clean floors with a damp mop, wipe window frames, sills and other surfaces with a damp cloth or sponge

• Rinse sponges and mops after cleaning dirt or dust.

• Wash kids' hands often, especially before they eat or sleep.

• Keep play areas clean.

• Keep kids from chewing window sills or other painted surfaces.

• Ask your health department or water supplier about testing your water.

• Use only cold water from the tap for drinking, making baby formula, and cooking

• Contact a professional if you must remove lead paint from your home.

• Close off rooms being remodeled.

Possible symptoms of lead poisoning

• Poor appetite

• Vomiting

• Constipation

• Crankiness

• Loss of energy

• Sleeping problems

• Behavioral problems

• Learning problems

• Hearing problems

• Unexplained anemia

• Unexplained developmental delay