The Dangers Of Lead and Lead Based Products

Finding the sources

Seeking out sources of lead in the household and surrounding areas can be crucial in safeguarding your   family members, especially children and pets. It has now been determined that the effects from lead  paint, household dust, lead crystal and some imported pottery can be very dangerous indeed.

Are our children at risk

Children are considered to be at the greatest risk of exposure because they have such intimate contact with the environment. Their faster metabolism causes them to eat more for their body weight and to breathe faster.

Children also tend to play and breathe closer to the ground where lead dust concentrates. They are also likely to put their hands in their mouths, which can bring lead just directly into their bodies.

What can we parents do to help?

Parents can take several steps to help protect their children from the effects of lead within the home environment. Cover peeling or exposed paint with wood paneling or vinyl wallpaper. Stripping off the paint will release more lead into the environment, and a new coat of paint can itself peel, re-exposing the paint beneath it.

What about the animals

Also, lead and lead salts are toxic to pets. Pets are naturally curious and are prone to claw, scratch and pick at peeling materials. To minimize the risk to your pet, watch what they pick up in their mouths! These toxic lead salts can be found in such common things as insecticides and linoleum.

Be careful when remodeling

Be careful when doing any kind of remodeling such as removing old paint, replacing linoleum on floors, counters, etc. Keep pets and children away from work sites and building materials. Properly dispose of any leaded materials and remove them promptly from the premises.

What are the signs? 

Know the possible signs of lead poisoning, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, lack of appetite, irritability, listlessness, hysteria or convulsions. When a pet shows gastrointestinal as well as neurological symptoms, lead poisoning could be the culprit and you should contact the vet as soon as possible.

What are the water pipes made of?

Many water mains are still made of lead, so household water should be tested for lead content. If lead is present in the water, allow it to run for a few minutes before using it. Use cold or bottled water to prepare foods or infant's formula because hot water tends to leech more lead.

Watch your babies health 

Iron deficiency anemia is a common problem among one and two year olds that predisposes them to eating non-food substances and causes them to absorb more of the lead taken into their bodies.

Who do you call if you think you have a problem?

If lead exposure is suspected, consult your health department about appropriate removal and clean-up procedures. Also, people who may have been exposed to lead or lead dust recently should have the lead levels in their blood tested by their doctor or local health department.

For your convenience, we have prepared  a list of search terms used in order of popularity, to find more pages on this subject:

Searches completed in December 2004 
Count Search Term 
7720 lead poisoning 
1506 lead poisoning symptom 
515 lead poisoning treatment 
374 effects of lead poisoning 
346 lead poisoning attorney 
326 lead poisoning lawyer 
311 lead poisoning in child 
290 lead poisoning information 
263 lead poisoning info 
253 lead poisoning law 
220 lead poisoning adult 
200 lead paint poisoning 
125 lead poisoning lawsuit 
108 lead poisoning child 
79 lead poisoning sign 
59 lead poisoning picture 
59 lead poisoning prevention 
51 case lead poisoning 
50 childhood lead poisoning 
46 lead pencil poisoning 
45 cause lead poisoning 
44 adult lead poisoning symptom 
44 lead poisoning test 
43 lead level poisoning 
40 adult in lead poisoning 
39 lead poisoning source 
37 candy lead mexican poisoning 
36 attorney lead new paint poisoning york 
36 lawyer lead new paint poisoning york 
36 lead poisoning testing 
35 effects lead poisoning side 
32 jewelry lead poisoning 
32 lead paint poisoning symptom 
30 dog in lead poisoning 
29 history of lead poisoning 
28 child in lead poisoning symptom 
27 blood lead poisoning 
27 crystal lead poisoning

Back to the Freetipson Healthcare Homepage

Source public domain