Lead poisoning can affect nearly every part of the body. Because lead poisoning often occurs with no signs you can see, it often goes unknown. Lead poisoning can cause learning problems, behavioral problems, and, at very high levels, seizures, coma, and even death.

How are children exposed to lead?

The major source of lead exposure among U.S. children is lead-based paint and lead-dust found in old buildings. Lead-based paints were banned for use in housing in 1978. But some older homes still have leaded paint. Most commonly, children eat chips of old lead paint or paint dust on their hands and toys. 

Other sources of lead poisoning can come from:

• hobbies that use lead (such as making stained-glass windows)
• work (recycling or making car batteries)
• drinking water (lead pipes, solder, brass fixtures, valves can all leach lead)
• home health remedies (arzacon and greta, which are used for upset stomach or indigestion; pay-loo-ah, which is used for rash or fever).

Who is at risk?

• Children under the age of 6 years because they are growing and because they tend to put their hands, toys and other objects into their mouths.
• All children can be affected by lead poisoning, although children of lower income families who live in older housing are at greatest risk.
• Children of some racial and ethnic groups living in older housing are more often impacted by lead.

Can lead poisoning be prevented? Yes!

• Children who are at risk of lead poisoning need to be tested, and, if needed, treated. Columbus Health Department offers lead testing (see link below).
• Talk to your state or local health department about testing paint and dust from your home for lead if you live in a house or apartment built before 1978, especially if young children live with you or visit you.
• Mop floors with a damp mops and wipe surfaces with a damp cloth often.
• Wash a child's hands, pacifiers, and toys often.
• Use only cold water from the tap for drinking, cooking, and for making baby formula. Hot water is more likely to have higher levels of lead, and most of the lead in household water usually comes from the plumbing in your house, not from the local water supply.
• Avoid using home remedies (such as arzacon, greta, pay-loo-ah) and cosmetics (such as kohl, alkohl) that contain lead.
• Remove all lead hazards – call (#) for information about safely removing lead paint and other hazards. 
• If you remodel buildings built before 1978, or if your work or hobbies involve working with lead-based products, take basic steps to lower your exposure to lead (for example, by showering and changing clothes after finishing the task.)

                                                                     Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

For More Information

Centers for Disease Control, Childhood Lead Poisoning

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Related Programs and Services

Columbus Public Health Lead Program

Columbus Public Health Healthy Homes Program