The most common way that children are exposed to lead poisoning is through the ingestion of lead paint. Lead paint was widely used in homes and on toys throughout the United States until 1978, when the Consumer Products Safety Commission banned its use. Nonetheless, there are an estimated 38 million homes that still contain lead paint and another 25% of homes throughout the country that contain a lead hazard. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there are 434,000 children between the ages of one and five who have elevated levels of lead in their blood.

Families that live in homes built before 1978, and especially those undergoing renovation, are at an increased risk of lead poisoning and should take extra precautions. Families should be aware of deteriorating, chipping, and flaking paint that could contain lead. The normal hand to mouth contact of children is enough to introduce dangerous levels of lead into the blood. According to the National Safety Council, it only takes a lead dust particle equivalent to the size of a single grain of salt for a child to register an elevated level of lead in his/her blood.

Identifying potential exposure areas where your child could come in contact with lead paint will reduce the risk of your child getting lead poisoning and suffering the negative health effects associated with it.

top