LEAD POISONING

Lead poisoning is very dangerous for all humans, especially children. Lead poisoning most commonly affects and harms young children and babies, even prior to birth. Seemingly healthy children can still have high lead levels. Typically, lead enters the body when young children ingest lead paint chips, lead dust, or contaminated soil. Exposure to lead-based paint can result in lead poisoning and potentially serious health issues that can be permanent. Children have tendencies to put anything they find in their mouths and even a tiny amount of lead-based paint can lead to potentially life changing and dangerous health problems. 

There is not a cure for lead poisoning, which means prevention is immensely important. Lead poisoning is preventable and once sources of lead have been recognized, they need to be removed immediately.
 

Where Lead Can Be Found:

Generally, lead poison is found in older homes or apartments.  Prior to 1978, paint contained lead and homes that were built before 1978 were painted with lead-based paint.  Using lead-based paint was banned by the federal government in 1978 because of the harmful and dangerous effects it has and can have on people and their families.  Lead-based paint remains can be found in private or public housing, inside or outside of a home or apartment, on walls, on windowsills, in the soil, on toys or on furniture. 

Warning Signs That Could Mean Your Child Has Been Exposed to Lead Paint:  

o Stomach issues

o Constipation 

o Nausea or Vomiting 

o Developmental Delays

o Learning Difficulties

o Weight Loss

o Low Birth Weight

o Hearing Loss

o Seizures

o Slow Growth Rate

o Hyperactivity or Irritability

o Fatigue or Insomnia 

o Headaches

o Memory Loss 

o Pain in the abdomen or joints  

How to Find Out if Your Home or Apartment Has Lead-Based Paint:

If you suspect your home has lead-based paint or want to ensure that your place is free of it, you can have your home inspected and tested.  Risk Assessments are on-site investigations that can inform you of the existence, severity, and location of any lead-based paint hazards your home or apartment may have.  Typically, your local health department has a lead program with environmental experts who can test home for contamination.  If your health department does not have a local lead program, then your state office may provide assistance and certainly you can hire private environmental companies experienced with testing homes for lead contamination.

If you suspect your child has been exposed or your child exhibits symptoms of lead poisoning, you should immediately take him or her to your family doctor for testing.  A simple blood test can detect high levels of lead.
 

Effects of Lead Poison:

Paint that contains lead is a poison and has impacted the lives of millions.  Lead poisoning can affect almost every system in the body and, unfortunately, the symptoms are not always easily noticeable as soon as one is exposed.  If not detected early in children, it may cause damage to the brain and nervous system, behavior and hearing problems, slowed growth, and headaches.  In adults, it may harm the reproductive organs, and cause high blood pressure, nerve disorders, memory and concentration problems and muscle and joint pain. The effects of lead poisoning can lead to loss of income capacity and can have a negative impact on academic abilities. 

What You Need to Know:

There are many statutes and laws in place regarding lead-based paint. Landlords and owners have a responsibility to provide and maintain residential buildings in order for them to be safe. Taking action right away is important and documenting evidence is very helpful. 

For More Information on Lead:

The HUD government website has more information on all things lead! https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/healthy_homes

The CDC government website has more information, prevention steps, and more!

https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/default.htm

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