Lead
is an element found naturally in the earth’s crust that has been mined & used by people for thousands of years. It is useful in manufacturing, surface coatings & glazes, automobile batteries, & a variety of industrial processes. Up until 1978, lead was used in many house paints. Even today, deteriorating lead-based paint in homes can lead to high (& unsafe) concentrations of lead in house dust.
Like iron, calcium and magnesium, lead is a metal. However, unlike those minerals, which are needed by the human body, lead is a poison – even in very small amounts. Be on the lookout for these common sources of lead in & around your home:
Lead dust is created when painted surfaces, such as door and window frames, rub against each other.
Lead pollution caused by leaded gasoline & industrial processes can settle in the soil.
Lead found in water supply pipes & older plumbing can contaminate cooking & drinking water.
Older & imported toys may contain lead-based paint, putting children at risk for lead exposure.
Young children, when exposed to high levels of lead in house dust, are particularly vulnerable. It can cause learning disabilities, behavioral problems, &, at very high levels, seizures, coma, & even death. Since there is NO medical treatment to permanently reverse the adverse health effects of lead exposure in children, it is critical to focus on prevention. If you live in pre-1978 housing, it is important to safeguard the children in your home or apartment from suffering the damaging effects of lead poisoning, by keeping the home clean & keeping painted surfaces intact. Parents can take some simple precautions around the house to protect children from being exposed to lead:
Protect your child from dust & loose pieces of lead-based paint. Lead dust is the most common source of lead poisoning.
Always damp mop. Clean floors, window sills, window wells, & play areas often.
Teach children to wash their hands before meals, after playing outside, & at bedtime.
Wash toys, bottles, & pacifiers often.
A healthy diet will help to keep lead from being absorbed into a child’s body. Eat foods & snacks that contain calcium, iron, & vitamin C. Avoid eating imported candy & spices. Some may contain harmful amounts of lead.
For more information on how you can protect your family, please contact LEADSAFE Erie County at 716-961-6800 or email us at leadsafe@erie.gov. You can also visit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website or call 1-800-424-LEAD (5323).