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Tip 30: Get the Lead Out
Christopher Gavigan
Friday, October 27, 2006
Lead is the most common, yet preventable, environmental health threat facing children today. The most common sources of lead are old paint, dust, bare soil, and drinking water.
To reduce and prevent lead exposure:
- Keep children away from damaged paint, poorly maintained windows, and bare soil – especially around older homes or structures with flaking and chipping paint.
- Run the cold tap water until you feel the water get colder before using it for drinking or cooking, this ensures that the water sitting in the lead pipes has been flushed out. Never use warm tap water to prepare infant foods or beverages. If you can use an activated carbon filter that can be found at any local supermarket, this is a good method to remove lead from tap water.
- Make sure children eat a healthy diet, one that is high in calcium, iron and Vitamin c.
- Wash children’s hands, pacifiers, stuffed animals, and toys frequently. Lead dust settles on these items, which are frequently in children’s mouths.
- Remove shoes at the door, or use a doormat.
- Children and pregnant women should avoid areas and homes that are under construction and remodeling. Inhalation of lead is the major exposure here.
- Wet-wipe window surfaces and sills with paper towels or rag to pick up dust.
- Children 6 years old and younger, living in homes built before 1950, are at greatest risk.
- Inquire about lead hazards. When buying or renting a home or apartment built before 1978, the seller or landlord is now required to disclose known lead hazards.
If you suspect that lead-based paint has been used in your home or if you plan to remodel or renovate, get your home tested. Do not attempt to remove lead paint yourself.
For more information about lead, call the National Lead Information Center at 1-(800) LEADFYI.
Get more information about "How to Keep Your Child Lead-Free".
Do what you can and remember – simple changes = big difference.
