Not so long ago, lead was all around us in the air, in our houses, and even at the gas pump. Unfortunately, some of the lead lingers, putting our children at risk, especially those under six. Their growing bodies mistake lead for calcium, depositing lead into their bones and tissues, causing potentially harmful effects. Children also absorb lead better than adults do.
The harmful effects are numerous. It causes brain damage, kidney malfunction, as well as hearing, digestion, and emotional problems.
Is your child at risk?
- Does your children eat nonfood items such as chalk, dirt, etc. (also known as pica)?
- Do you currently renovating your home?
- Live in a home build in or before the 1978?
- Live near a battery plant?
- Have close relatives who work in a factory that has lead exposure?
- Live near a busy road built before the 60s?
Do your child have a problem? Here are some signs to look for include headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Unfortunately for most children, there are no symptoms. To protect your child, your pediatrician should screen for lead at six months and test for lead at twelve months, and then again at twenty-four months.
Prevention
- When children eat a diet high in iron, zinc, and calcium, it prevents their bodies from absorbing lead.
- When renovating an older home, make sure children aren't exposed.
- Practice good hygiene. Encourage children to wash hands before eating, especially after playing outdoors.
- If you live near an active road build before the 60s, avoid soil and have it tested
- Run water a few minutes before giving tap water or use a filter.
- Check older dishes and utensils for low levels of lead.
- Find out if you live near a battery plant, or any other company that may release lead into the environment.
How is it treated? To treat lead poisoning, usually the lead source is removed from the child's home or area the children visit frequently. Then if needed, children may be given pills or shots that contain chelating agents that bind to lead and remove from the body.
Unfortunately, even in small doses, lead can hurt your child's development. Be proactive. Find out what is in your soil, house, and environment.
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