Lead Poisoning: Frequently Asked Questions

What is lead poisoning?

How do children get lead poisoning?

What are the symptoms of lead poisoning?

How can you tell if your child has lead poisoning?

Where is testing for blood lead levels available?
Is there a cure for lead poisoning?

Should pregnant women be concerned about lead poisoning?
What you can do to protect your family?

What is the latest information about recalls for products containing lead?

1. What is lead poisoning?
Lead is a metal that can make infants and young children ill. Many of those affected never even look sick. Sometimes children with lead poisoning can have learning disabilities and other health problems. Fortunately, lead poisoning can be detected and it can be prevented.

2. How do children get lead poisoning?
The most common cause of lead poisoning is from the lead paints that were used up until the late 1970’s. Lead can also be in dust, soil, water, food, and in the air. Children can get lead poisoning by:

• Putting their hands or toys with lead dust on them in their mouths
• Eating the lead paint chips that peel off the walls
• Chewing on window sills and door frames containing lead paint

3. What are the symptoms of lead poisoning?
Lead can harm virtually every system in the human body. Lead is particularly harmful to the developing brain and nervous system of fetuses and young children. In many cases, there are no visible symptoms of elevated blood-lead levels or lead poisoning.

4. How can you tell if your child has lead poisoning?
The only way to be sure is with a quick and easy blood test. Every child should be tested at ages 9 to 12 months and again at age 24 months. Call your primary care physician or the Health Department's county health centers for lead screening info.

5. Where is testing for blood lead levels available?  

You can get your child tested for lead at any of the Health Department’s county health centers or at your physician’s office, if you have one.  Contact the Health Department concerning setting up an appointment and any fees, if applicable.   

6. Is there a cure for lead poisoning?
The main treatment for lead poisoning is to stop the exposure. Removing the lead from a person's environment helps to ensure a decline in blood-lead levels. The longer a person is exposed to lead, the greater the likelihood that damage to the person's health will result. In some cases, medications are used to lower blood-lead levels.

7. Should pregnant women be concerned about lead poisoning?
Lead can be passed from the pregnant woman to the fetus, so women should take steps to ensure that they do not have excessive lead exposure during pregnancy.

Specifically, pregnant women should not:

• Engage in any activity that disturbs lead-based paint or uses lead based raw materials
• Live in or be present in a house or apartment where work is under way that disturbs lead-based paint
• Return to a house or apartment where lead-based paint has been disturbed until at least 24 hours after the work has been completed and passed clearance testing

8. What you can do to protect your family?

• At least once a year, take your children under 6 years old to be tested for lead
• Keep children away from peeling paint
• Wash children's hands before they eat, after they play outdoors and before they go to sleep. Wash your hands before preparing food
• Wet mop floors, and wet wipe furniture, window sills and other dusty surfaces
• Don't let children play under bridges, near highways and heavily traveled roads
• Serve meals that are high in iron and calcium to help reduce lead from being absorbed into your children's bodies
• Run cold water for at least a minute before using. Never use hot water from the faucet to make baby formula or for cooking

9. What is the latest information about recalls for products containing lead?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention keeps track of the most recent lead recalls, including toys, jewelry and craft products.

More information on lead:
Call the Health Department at 859.341.4151.
Kentucky Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
Kentucky Environmental Lead Program
CDC Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
EPA: Lead in Paint, Dust and Soil

Source: Northern Kentucky Health Department, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Environmental Protection Agency