A child explores the world by touching, tasting, and putting things into its mouth.  However, sometimes these objects and materials contain dangerous and unseen contaminants such as lead.  Lead is a naturally occurring, et very toxic heavy metal, that can cause dangerous health problems when there is too much of it in our bodies.   

 

For years, lead has been used as a major ingredient in home paint--- and even paint for children's toys as it has many qualities that make paint durable, colorful and inexpensive to manufacture.

  

In the United States, lead poisoning is the most common preventable children’s health problem.  Over 3 million children (ages 6 and under) in the U.S. suffer from lead poisoning.  Illinois has the highest rate of child lead poisoning with 5,000 cases in 2008.  It is especially dangerous for young children because it can negatively affect mental and physical development.  The good news is that lead poisoning is preventable.  It just requires parents to take preventative measures to reduce a child’s exposure to lead.   

 

Lead poisoning occurs when lead levels build up in your body over a period of time (months-years).  Usually, lead poisoning is not detected until lead levels are dangerously high.  Low-level lead exposure (10 micrograms in a deciliter (half-cup) of blood) can cause damage in children.  This low-level exposure is enough to affect a child’s brain development, which can cause lasting damage.  Lead levels of 25 micrograms in a deciliter of blood can cause kidney and nervous system damage. 

 

At very high levels, lead exposure can cause unconsciousness, seizures, and even death.  The following complications are associated with lead exposure in children: 

 

Symptoms of lead poisoning in children are: 

Even newborns can develop lead poisoning if they are exposed to lead in the womb.  Symptoms of lead poisoning in newborns includes: 

If you think your child may have lead poisoning, you can call the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.   

 

Young children (ages 6 and under) and babies are most at risk for lead poisoning because they are more likely to ingest lead by chewing on toys and paint chips, eating dirt, and sucking on their fingers which could be covered in lead contaminated dust.  Children who live in older homes are more at risk for lead poisoning because of the use of lead-based paint. 

 

Oftentimes, low-income families are more likely to live in older homes that have not undergone recent renovation, which puts these children at an increased risk for lead poisoning.  Therefore, it is important to identify lead hazards in a child’s environment and take steps to control and/or remove these hazards.   

 

The EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule requires professionals to followlead-safe practices for home projects at pre-1978 homes.  These projects must be done by certified firms and individuals that are trained to reduce the hazards of lead exposure.  These safety practices include posting warning signs, covering air ducts and sealing off the work area, and cleaning dust from the site. 

 

The Rule became effective on April 22, 2010, but the EPA will not actually take enforcement action for violations of the Rule’s firm certification requirement until October 1, 2010 and will not enforce the Rule against individual workers if they have applied to enroll in or have enrolled in a class because concerns were raised about difficulties in obtaining the required firm certification and worker training.   

 

Main sources of lead exposure for children in the United States: 

Other sources include: 

 

Lead poisoning is completely preventable with some simple practices: 

 

Treatment for lead poisoning depends on the level of lead in your blood.  If you have low lead levels, usually all you need to do is avoid lead exposure, which will reduce your blood lead levels.  If you have higher lead levels, you may require chelation therapy (medicine binds to the lead, which is excreted in your urine) or EDTA therapy.  If you have very high blood lead levels, even treatment might not be enough to reverse the damage.   

 

The best tool in the fight against child lead poisoning is prevention.  Just like baby proofing, it is important to carefully inspect your children’s environment and reduce lead hazards.  If you have any questions about safe lead removal or want additional information, you can contact HUD (Housing and Urban Development) at 800-RID-LEAD, the National Information Center at 800-LEAD-FYI, or the National Lead Information Center at 800-424-5323. 

 

If your child has developmental problems related to lead poisoning, you may be entitled to a claim for damages against the property owner or product manufacturer.  For more than 30 years we have aggressively prosecuted cases on behalf of injured children.  Put our experience to work for you today.  (888) 424-5757

 

Sources:

Lead Safe Illinois

Chicago Tribune: What you should know about lead paint certification 

CDC: Lead Poisoning 

Keep Kids Healthy: Lead Poisoning 

American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP): Lead Exposure in Children Affects Brain and Behavior 

Illinois Department of Public Health: Childhood Lead Poisoning 

Mayo Clinic: Lead Poisoning 

U.S. EPA: Lead in Paint, Dust, and Soil 

U.S. EPA: Further Implementation Guidance for the Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule 

Medline Plus: Lead Poisoning