Lead in the body can affect child development and behavior. Lead is a metal that is found in a lot of places. Though you can't usually see it, there are things you can do to prevent your child from being exposed to lead. No safe level of lead has been identified for children. Children are at highest risk because they often put their hands and objects in their mouths, and their growing bodies tend to easily absorb what they eat. This publication was written by the American Academy of Pediatrics to help parents understand how lead can be harmful, where it may be found, and what they can do to keep their children safe.
How is lead harmful?
- Lead can interfere with normal growth and development and have an impact on almost every system of the body, including the brain.
- Most children with lead in their blood show no symptoms. However, lead can harm development in ways that are easily seen in a child.
- Some children show learning and behavior problems. These may be seen first during preschool years or later.
- Physical symptoms may include stomach pain, headaches, vomiting, and feeling weak. Very high levels of lead in the body may cause seizures, coma, and death.
Where lead can be found
- Homes and buildings. Lead was added to indoor and outdoor paint until 1978. That is why it is found in so many homes. When lead-based paint surfaces rub together (like when a window is opened or a door closed) or when paint begins to peel or chip, the lead can get into the dust and dirt in and around the home.
- Hobby materials (stained glass, paints, solders, fishing weights, and buckshot).
- Folk or home health remedies (azarcon and greta, which are used for upset stomach or indigestion; pay-loo-ah, which is used for rash or fever).
- Workplaces (foundries, smelters, battery recycling plants, and auto repair shops).
- Food bowls painted with lead glazes (especially if made in another country or they are old).
- Sometimes in products like toys, jewelry, or furniture (especially if made in another country).
- Water that has been in contact with lead pipes, lead solder, or older plumbing fixtures (especially hot water pipes because hot water absorbs lead more quickly than cold water).
What you can do
- Test your home for lead. If your home was built before 1978, talk with your local health department about getting your home tested for lead. If you don't know how old your home is, assume there is lead. In the United States, lead is in paint in 87% of homes built before 1940, 69% of homes built from 1940–1959, and 24% of homes built from 1960–1977. Homes in the Northeast and Midwest are most likely to have lead in paint. Ask the landlord about lead before you sign a lease. Before you buy a home, have it inspected for lead.
- Before any work is done on your home, learn about safe ways to make repairs. When repairs are being done, seal off the area until the job is done and keep your child away until everything is cleaned up. Be sure to use a certified contractor. Removing lead paint on your own can often make the condition worse. If work is not done the safe way, you and your child can be harmed by increased exposure to lead in dust.
- Keep your children away from old windows, old porches, and areas with chipping or peeling paint. If it is in your home, cover it with duct tape or contact paper until it can be completely removed. If you rent your home, let your landlord know about any peeling or chipping paint. Landlords are legally required to repair lead problems found on their property.
- Do not allow your child to play in the dirt next to your old home. Plant grass over bare soil or use mulch or wood chips.
- Clean your home regularly. Wipe down floors and other level surfaces with a damp mop or sponge. Taking shoes off at the door can help reduce tracking in dirt.
- Teach your children to wash their hands, especially before eating. Wash pacifiers and toys regularly.
- Keep clean. If your work or hobbies involve lead, change your clothes and shoes and shower when finished. Keep your clothes at work or wash your work clothes as soon as possible.
- Use cold flushed tap water for mixing formula, drinking, or cooking. If you are in an older home, run the water for several minutes before using it in the morning and start with cold water for drinking or cooking.
- Eat healthy. Give your child a well-balanced diet that includes breakfast and food high in calcium and iron. A good diet can help your child absorb less lead.
Treatment for lead poisoning
The first action is to identify the source of exposure and prevent further exposures to lead. Some children with high levels of lead in their blood need to take a medicine that helps the body get rid of it faster. If your child's lead level is too high, it can take months to years for it to come down; close follow-up is needed. Children with development or behavior problems should be evaluated and, if needed, receive services to help them improve.
Lead screening
The only way to know for sure if your child has been exposed to lead is with a blood test. Lead screening tests sometimes take blood from the finger, but it is better and more accurate to take the blood from a vein in the arm. The test measures the amount of lead in the blood. If you think that your child has been exposed to lead, talk with your pediatrician about getting a blood test to check for lead.
For more information
CDC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
770/488-3300
National Lead Information Center
800/424-LEAD (800/424-5323)
US Department of Housing and Urban Development
202/755-1785
Disclaimer
Listing of resources does not imply an endorsement by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The AAP is not responsible for the content of external resources. Information was current at the time of publication.
The information contained in this publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
© 2009 American Academy of Pediatrics, Reaffirmed 01/2016. All rights reserved.