Lead Poisoning
Lead can damage nearly every system in the human body and has harmful effects on both adults and children. The high presence of lead in our society makes it necessary to keep track of exposures to keep the public safe and healthy. A child may not look or act sick, but may still have elevated blood lead levels.
Effects of Lead Poisoning
Lowers IQ
Learning problems
Hearing loss
Slow growth
Behavior problems
Decreased attention span
Hyperactivity
Language Deficiency
Prenatal Exposure can affect your unborn baby:
Early birth
Low birth weight
Miscarriage
Common Risk Factors for Children
Live in or frequent visits to homes built before 1950
Time spent in homes built prior to 1978 with chipping/peeling paint
Live in high risk zip codes 45373, 45356, 45371, 45312, 45317, 45318, 45326, 45337, 45339, 45308, 45383, 48359, 45361.
Sibling or playmate with history of lead poisoning
Exposure to adults who work or have hobbies involving lead (Examples: Construction, manufacturing, welding, pottery, painting, casting ammunition)
There are numerous potential sources of lead exposure:
Deteriorating lead-based paint
Cosmetics containing lead
Foods containing lead
Hobbies that include using lead-based materials
Lead dust
Occupations that involve exposure to lead
Soil contaminated with lead
Toys containing lead such as lead-based paint
Water with elevated lead levels
TESTING FOR LEAD – When should children be tested?
There is no “safe” level of lead in the blood – any confirmed level is an indication that the child has been exposed.
Children should be tested at age 1 and 2 years, or up to 6 years if no previous test has been done, based on the following criteria:
If the child is on Medicaid, he/she must be tested according to Ohio and Medicaid Rules.
If the child resides in a high-risk zip code (45373, 45356, 45371, 45312, 45317, 45318, 45326, 45337, 45339, 45308, 45383, 45359, 45361), he/she must be tested according to Ohio law.
If the parent(s) responds “yes” or the answer is unknown to one or more of the questions below, the child must be tested:
Does the child live in or regularly visit a residential unit, child care facility, or school built before 1950?
Does the child live in or regularly visit a residential unit, child care facility, or school built before 1978 that has deteriorated paint?
Does the child live in or regularly visit a residential unit built before 1978 with recent, ongoing, or planned renovation/remodeling?
Does the child have a sibling or playmate that has or did have lead poisoning?
Does the child come in frequent contact with an adult who has a lead-related hobby, or occupation?
Does the child live near an active/former lead smelter, battery recycling plant, or other industry known to generate airborne lead dust?
Resources
CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR AN APPOINTMENT AND TESTING
IF YOU NEED A PHYSICIAN, CALL CARE FINDERS @ 1-866-608-3463
QUESTIONS? CALL 1-877-LEADSAFE (532-3723)