Lead Poisoning

Being around lead too much can cause lead poisoning. A child with lead poisoning may have stomach pains, vomit, be confused, have weak muscles or lose hair. Most children, though, show no symptoms. The only way to know is to do a blood test.

Lead testing for children between the ages of nine months and six years, can be done through the McFarland Clinic Pediatrics Department or through Homeward. It is often done at the one and two year check up.

Children who have lead poisoning need to be treated. Even small amounts of lead can cause problems. Lead poisoning causes brain damage that results in poor hearing, problems learning to speak and other learning problems.

What You Should Know:

• Lead is most often found in houses built before 1950. These houses were painted with lead-based paint.
• Keep your child away from peeling paint. Peeling paint is common on windowsills.
• Learn how to remove old lead paint safely.
• Wash your child's hands and face before she eats. If your child sucks his thumb or fingers, rinse his hands often.
• Rinse toys and pacifiers often.
• Make sure your child's diet has plenty of iron and calcium. Both of these minerals make it harder for the body to take in lead.

For more information on lead poisoning and safely removing lead from the home, call the Iowa Department of Public Health Child Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at 1-800-972-2026. Online information can be found at http://www.nsc.org/library/facts/lead.htm