Lead can be found in nature, but it was frequently used in household products until it was deemed hazardous in the mid-70s. Today, young children are still at risk!
This is Public Health is brought to you in partnership with the Tuscarawas County Health Department.
Children are notorious for putting objects in their mouths- both toys and random things. This puts them at a high risk of lead poisoning. Up until 1978, builders and homeowners used lead paint on walls. We now know this is dangerous, but these past mistakes can lead to future exposure.
Preventing Lead Poisoning
What can you do to prevent lead exposure and poisoning? The Ohio Department of Health recommends taking these precautions:
- Wash your child’s hands, toys, and eating space
- Clean your floors regularly
- Only use cold tap water
- Remove your shoes and work clothes before entering your home
- Be on the lookout for peeling paint and be careful during home renovations
- Get professional help and have a lead risk assessment done on your home
Signs and Symptoms
It can be difficult to tell if a child has lead poisoning. Lead can be found in dirt, soil, and water. It can be ingested or inhaled. Oftentimes, children show no signs of being exposed at first.
Lead poisoning attacks the nervous system and can affect a child for their entire life. It has been linked to lower IQ levels, attention disorders, delayed growth, and impaired hearing. Your child will be given a lead test at their 1- and 2-year wellness appointments, especially if you are on Medicaid or in a high-risk zip code for lead poisoning.
The TCHD partners with the Ohio Department of Health for Lead Poisoning Prevention Awareness and Healthy Homes through the months of April to June, with different activities every year. You can also visit www.tchdnow.org or find them on Facebook for more information about the Tuscarawas County Health Department and their services.
Audrey Mattevi
Reporting
It’s good that you brought up that one great preventative measure to take against lead exposure and poisoning is to get professional help and have a lead risk assessment done on the building. The house I recently bought is rather old, so I wanted to get lead testing for it first before we renovate it next month. I’ll make sure to contact professional service providers to perform lead testing as soon as possible.