Resources on Early Learning
Tip Sheets
Preventing Lead Poisoning in Children
Understand the Problem
- Lead poisoning is not a thing of the past or a “poor person’s problem.” Children from all regions, ethnic groups, and income levels in Illinois can be affected by lead poisoning.
- Any amount of lead is bad for your child. A little lead can do a lot of damage, especially to children under the age of 2. Small amounts can cause lower IQs, learning difficulties, and behavior problems. Mothers can pass it to babies through breast milk.
Know the Risks
- It is hard to tell when your child is being exposed to lead. There may be no symptoms at all. Or the symptoms may be common ones: headaches, stomachaches, sleeping problems, and irritability. Parents who see these symptoms probably do not expect lead to be the cause.
- There are many sources of lead exposure. Common sources include lead-based paint, lead in soil, lead smelters, and battery recycling plants.
Take Action!
- Get your child screened. Your pediatrician or public health clinic can tell you when to get your child screened. If you live in a high-risk area, you will need to get your child’s blood lead level tested. The Illinois Department of Public Health has lists of high-risk ZIP codes (call 800-545-2200).
- Teach children healthy habits. Children like to put things in their mouths that shouldn’t be there — including paint chips or dirt — and that might contain lead. Teach children to wash their hands often and to put only food in their mouths.
- Get information on safe lead removal. Standard paint removal procedures like sanding or heating release lead dust into the air and may actually increase lead exposure within the home. The Illinois Department of Public Health has a list of licensed lead risk assessors, paint inspectors, and abatement experts (call 800-545-2200).
- Help your children eat a nutritious diet. Parents can encourage their children to eat nutritious, low-fat foods. Foods high in Vitamin C, calcium, and iron slow the absorption of lead into the bloodstream, increasing the amount of lead that is flushed out of the body.
- Take advantage of other resources that can help. There are many resources that can help parents get the lead out of their homes. A few cities in Illinois and the state government offer financial assistance for some communities that need help with lead removal (ask your local health department or call 800-545-2200).
For more information about lead poisoning, visit these Web sites:
- Protect Your Child from Lead Poisoning
http://www.epa.gov/lead - Lead in Your Home: A Parent's Reference Guide
http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadrev.pdf - Sources of Childhood Lead Poisoning
http://www.idph.state.il.us/HealthWellness/leadfs_sources.pdf - Frequently Asked Questions regarding recent Consumer Product Safety Commission recalls of children’s toys due to excessive levels of lead
http://www.aap.org/new/toyrecall-FAQ-2007.pdf - Childhood Lead Poisoning Surveillance Report
http://www.idph.state.il.us/health/statshome.htm#childlead - Lead Poisoning
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/brain/lead_poisoning.html - Lead Poisoning
http://www.education.pitt.edu/ocd/publications/parentingguides/LeadPoisoning.pdf
The opinions, resources, and referrals provided in this Tip Sheet are intended for information purposes only and should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We advise parents to seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health care provider with questions regarding their child’s health or medical conditions.
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