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Young children often
place their toys, fingers, and other objects in their mouths as part of
their normal development. This hand-to-mouth activity may put them in
contact with lead paint or dust.
The most common sources
of lead exposure for children are chips and particles of old lead paint.
Although children may be directly exposed to lead from paint by swallowing
paint chips, they are more commonly exposed by swallowing house dust or
soil contaminated by leaded paint. This happens because lead paint chips
become ground into tiny bits that become part of the dust and soil in
and around homes. This usually occurs when leaded paint becomes old or
worn or is subject to constant rubbing (as on doors and windowsills and
wells). In addition, lead can be scattered when paint is disturbed during
destruction, remodeling, paint removal, or preparation of painted surfaces
for repainting.
Lead, which is invisible to the naked eye and has no smell, may be found
in other sources. These sources may be the exposure source for as many
as 30% of lead-poisoned children in certain areas across the United States.
They include
- traditional home
health remedies such as azarcon and greta, which are used for upset
stomach or indigestion in the Hispanic community
- imported candies
- imported toys
and toy jewelry
- imported cosmetics
- pottery and ceramics
- drinking water
contaminated by lead leaching from lead pipes, solder, brass fixtures,
or valves and
- consumer products,
including tea kettles and vinyl miniblinds
Additionally, a variety
of work and hobby activities and products expose adults to lead. This
also can result in lead exposure for their families. Activities that are
associated with lead exposure include indoor firing range use, home repairs
and remodeling, and pottery making. "Take-home" exposures may
result when people whose jobs expose them to lead wear their work clothes
home or wash them with the family laundry. It also may result when they
bring scrap or waste material home from work.
Protecting Children from Lead Exposure
Lead poisoning is entirely preventable. The key is stopping children from
coming into contact with lead and treating children who have been poisoned
by lead. The goal is to prevent lead exposure to children before they
are harmed. There are many ways parents can reduce a child's exposure
to lead. The key is stopping children from coming into contact with lead.
Lead hazards in a child's environment must be identified and controlled
or removed safely.
Concern about Your Child's Exposure
If you have any reason to suspect that your child has been exposed to
lead contact your health care provider. Your child's health care provider
can help you decide whether to perform a blood test to see if your child
has an elevated blood lead level. A blood lead test is the only way you
can tell if your child has an elevated lead level. Most children with
elevated blood lead levels have no symptoms. The health care provider
can recommend treatment if your child has been exposed to lead.
For more information on sources of lead exposure and prevention tips,
please visit our Web site at www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead
or call the CDC-INFO at 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636).
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