Children Are at Risk From Even Low-Level Exposure to Lead

For decades, we have known that exposure to high levels of lead can damage the nervous system in children, causing problems that range from hearing loss and seizures to unconsciousness and death. More recent research has demonstrated a link between even relatively low levels of exposure and learning disabilities, behavioral problems and decreased intelligence.

Children are more sensitive to the harmful effects of lead than adults, because more of the lead they swallow gets into the bloodstream (as much as 50% of the ingested lead, contrasted with 20% in adults). Children also are at greater risk because they often play on the floor or ground, where lead-contaminated dust or soil is found. And they are much more likely than adults to put this material in their mouths.

Considerable efforts have been made to reduce children’s exposure: Lead-based house paints have been banned since 1978, toy makers can no longer use lead-containing paints and lead additives in gasoline have decreased.

In spite of these measures, it is estimated that nearly 900,000 U.S. children have abnormally high levels of lead in their blood because of exposure to lead in paint, dust, soil and contaminated drinking water.

Here are several ways to protect your children against excessive exposure to lead: Identify and eliminate any lead-based paint in your home. Many older homes--especially those built prior to 1978--still contain paint with high lead levels. Lead-based paint that is peeling or chipping is especially dangerous because young children may eat it. If you believe lead paint may be a problem, you can have your home inspected. For a list of certified inspectors in your area, contact the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s lead listing at (888) 532-3547 or https://www.leadlisting.org.

*

If you discover lead-based paint in your home, the best solution is to hire a certified abatement company to remove it. Never attempt to get rid of leaded paint yourself by scraping or sanding it; this creates large amounts of lead dust and can actually increase your risk of toxic exposure. If you are unable to afford professional abatement or it is impractical, a good alternative is to cover the surface with a durable, tough material (like drywall or paneling). Painting or wallpapering over lead paint usually does not provide sufficient protection.

If you have children, the places they visit frequently, such as grandparents’ homes and child-care centers, should also be inspected for the presence of leaded paint.

Be sure lead levels are low in your drinking water. Public water supplies are checked regularly and by law must be kept at safe levels. Once the water reaches your home, however, lead levels can increase for a number of reasons. Lead-containing pipes in your home and pipes connected with lead solder can contaminate the water, as can faucets that contain lead.

To minimize the amount of lead that leaches into the water from these sources, use only cold water for cooking and drinking, and flush the pipes for one to two minutes before taking water from a faucet that has not been used for six hours or more. Water filters vary greatly in their effectiveness against lead. A good filter can reduce the amount of lead in your water by as much as 98%.

If you decide to invest in a filter, choose one that has been certified by the National Sanitation Foundation.

Testing your drinking water is the only way to be absolutely certain that the lead level is safe. For information on qualified laboratories, contact the California Department of Health Services Environmental Lab Accreditation Program at (213) 580-5731.

Keep your children from ingesting contaminated dirt. Lead-based paint on the outside of homes and buildings can contaminate the surrounding soil. The earth near busy roads or freeways may be contaminated because of heavily leaded gasoline used in the past. Children should be encouraged to play in grassy areas instead of in dirt, and to wash their hands before eating after playing outside.

Another way to reduce lead in the home is to keep your house as free of dirt and dust as possible. Lead-contaminated dust and dirt can be tracked into your home on shoes. The dust sticks to children’s hands and clings to toys and other objects that children might put into their mouths. Minimize the risk by regularly cleaning floors with a damp mop, wiping down painted surfaces with a moist cloth, and steam-cleaning rugs and carpets.

Also, avoid activities that can disperse lead dust into the air, such as dry-sweeping floors, shaking out or “beating” rugs, and scrubbing painted surfaces with abrasive cleaners or scouring pads.

Serve well-balanced meals that are rich in calcium and iron. Consumption of these minerals reduces the amount of lead your body will absorb. Regular meals and snacks are also recommended, since lead is absorbed more efficiently on an empty stomach.

*

If you have children, talk to their pediatrician about blood testing for lead levels. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that the following groups of children be tested:

* All children living in areas where a substantial portion of the housing was built before 1950;

* All children living in communities with high rates of elevated blood lead levels among 1- and 2-year-olds;

* Children who have other risks for elevated blood lead levels. (Children who live in or who regularly visited a house or child-care facility built before 1950; children living in or regularly visiting a house or child-care facility built before 1978 that is being renovated or has recently been renovated; siblings or playmates of a child with elevated lead levels.)

If tests show that your child’s lead level is high, the source of the lead exposure must be identified and removed from the child’s environment. This may be all that is necessary to correct the problem. If the child’s blood lead levels are very high, special medications must be administered. For more information about lead, contact the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services Lead Program at (800) LA-4LEAD.

Dr. Jonathan Fielding is the director of public health and the health officer for the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. Valerie Ulene is a board-certified specialist in preventive medicine practicing in Los Angeles. They can be reached by e-mail at ourhealth@dhs.co.la.ca.us. Our Health runs the second and fourth Mondays of each month.