How to tell if your child has lead poisoning?

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For lead poisoning, there is no concept of safe exposure and children are vulnerable to lead poisoning and it can cause serious health problems, including anemia, kidney damage, and kidney damage. brain injury. Here's what you need to know to help protect your family from lead poisoning.

1. How does lead enter a child's body?

Children become infected with lead by breathing in lead dust, ingesting lead-containing foods, and drinking lead-contaminated water.
We often use tap water for making milk and cooking but it can contain lead in it. You cannot see, smell or taste lead when it is in water, and boiling water will not remove lead.
Even children who do not eat lead-containing foods can get lead if they are around children with utensils painted with lead-based paints. Children can breathe in lead dust from a door painted with lead or play with objects that have lead paint on them. Once lead dust gets on their hands, it quickly gets into their mouths when kids lick their fingers or eat with their hands. Lead is not easily absorbed through the skin. Often pregnant women have high blood lead levels that can be passed on to the fetus.

2. Subjects at risk of lead poisoning

Here are the most common people at risk for lead exposure:
2.1 Live or spend time in an older building The older the house, the more likely it is to be painted with lead-based paints and more lead in paint. Any building built before 1978 including schools, office buildings and daycares can contain lead paint.
2.2 Live near highways or industrial zones Lead has been used in gasoline and pesticides, so the soil around roads and orchards can be contaminated with lead. Similarly, the area around industrial zones such as factories is also likely to be contaminated with lead.
2.3 Lead Exposure Work Environment People whose jobs are frequently exposed to lead can unknowingly bring home lead residue on their hands and clothing. If you work with stained glass or ceramics, remodel furniture, or go to indoor shooting ranges, be sure to shower and change clothes after work.
In addition, other sources of lead include:
Old furniture, playground equipment and toys that have been painted or varnished with lead products Old vinyl floors and mini blinds Bronze keys Glassware lead crystal and lead glazed ceramics Some toy jewelry Canned imported food, lead solder Old batteries Some hobby materials like stained glass supplies Some make-up items like kohl, kajal, surma , lipstick Folk art forms such as greta, azarcon, pay-loo-ah,...

3. How to tell if your child has lead poisoning?

Usually, children with lead poisoning have no symptoms even if they have high levels of lead in their bodies. Some possible symptoms of lead poisoning include:
Fatigue or hyperactivity Irritability Aggressive behavior Decreased attention span Developmental delay Difficulty sleeping Anemia Anemia Abdominal pain Loss of appetite Weight loss Constipation Vomiting Headache Problems with balance and motor control. To screen for lead poisoning, your child will have a simple blood test. Although no amount of lead is considered safe, if your child's blood lead level is greater than 5 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL), you need to take steps to reduce your child's exposure. A child's brain function will likely be affected if the lead level is 10 mcg/dL and for lead levels above 45 mcg/dL, the child needs medical treatment.
Exposure to very high levels of lead resulting in blood lead levels greater than 70 mcg/dL in children will cause acute lead poisoning. This is a rare condition and if you know the sources of lead exposure and take precautions, the chances of your child developing acute lead poisoning are quite low.

4. When should children be tested for lead poisoning?

Talk to your doctor first about your intention to have your child tested for lead poisoning if you are concerned about your child's lead exposure. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screening for high-risk children between 1 and 2 years of age.

5. How to prevent lead exposure

Start with keeping your child's hands clean by washing them several times a day, especially after they play outside and before they eat a meal or snack. Hands must be washed for at least 20 seconds to remove lead particles.
Keep your home clean by wiping off paint chips and dust with wet paper towels, mopping floors with a damp mop. You should also consider purchasing a vacuum with a HEPA filter to help remove lead dust particles.
Make sure that the child's bed and toys do not have peeling paint. Wash toys often to avoid contamination from dust or soil.
If your child is an infant or toddler, do not let them nibble on painted surfaces such as window sills, or furniture. Supplement enough iron, calcium and vitamin C for children.
Check your home's tap water system and take steps to de-lead if needed. Only use cold tap water for drinking, making milk, and cooking because hot water is more likely to have higher levels of lead.
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Reference source: babycenter.com