Children at highest risk include those who: Live in or regularly visit homes or buildings built before These buildings may have lead-based paint. The risk is even higher in buildings built before , when lead-based paint was more commonly used. Are immigrants, refugees, or adoptees from other countries. Are 6 years old or younger. Young children are at higher risk because: They often put their hands and objects in their mouths. They sometimes swallow non-food items.
Their bodies absorb lead at a higher rate. Their brains are developing quickly. Others at risk for lead poisoning include people who: Drink water that flows through pipes that were soldered with lead. Work with lead either in their job or as a hobby for example, metal smelters, pottery makers, and stained glass artists. Eat food from cans made with lead solder. These types of cans aren't made in Canada or the United States.
Cook or store food in ceramic containers. Some ceramic glaze contains lead that may not have been properly fired or cured. Eat or breathe traditional or folk remedies that contain lead, such as some herbs and vitamins from other countries. Live in communities with a lot of industrial pollution.
What are the symptoms? In children , symptoms can include: Slightly lower intelligence and smaller size compared to children of the same age. Behaviour problems, such as acting angry, moody, or hyperactive. Learning problems. Lack of energy, and not feeling hungry. In adults , lead poisoning can cause: Changes in behaviour, mood, personality, and sleep patterns. Memory loss and trouble thinking clearly. Weakness and muscle problems. How is lead poisoning diagnosed? Lead exposure in children: Prevention, detection, and management.
Pediatrics , — Preventive Services Task Force Screening for elevated blood lead levels in children and pregnant women. Credits Current as of: May 27, Top of the page Next Section: Related Information.
Other sources include contaminated air, water and soil. Adults who work with batteries, do home renovations or work in auto repair shops also might be exposed to lead. There is treatment for lead poisoning, but taking some simple precautions can help protect you and your family from lead exposure before harm is done. Initially, lead poisoning can be hard to detect — even people who seem healthy can have high blood levels of lead.
Signs and symptoms usually don't appear until dangerous amounts have accumulated. Although children are primarily at risk, lead poisoning is also dangerous for adults. Signs and symptoms in adults might include:.
Lead is a metal that occurs naturally in the earth's crust, but human activity — mining, burning fossil fuels and manufacturing — has caused it to become more widespread. Lead was also once used in paint and gasoline and is still used in batteries, solder, pipes, pottery, roofing materials and some cosmetics.
Lead-based paints for homes, children's toys and household furniture have been banned in the United States since But lead-based paint is still on walls and woodwork in many older homes and apartments. Most lead poisoning in children results from eating chips of deteriorating lead-based paint. Lead pipes, brass plumbing fixtures and copper pipes soldered with lead can release lead particles into tap water.
Lead solder in food cans, banned in the United States, is still used in some countries. Lead can harm an unborn child, so pregnant women or women likely to become pregnant should be especially careful to avoid exposure to lead. Exposure to even low levels of lead can cause damage over time, especially in children. The greatest risk is to brain development, where irreversible damage can occur. Kids are exposed to lead from chipping paint; house dust; and contaminated soil around older homes, streets, airports, and industrial areas.
Many children with lead poisoning have no symptoms. But even low-level lead exposure can lead to learning and behavior problems, like trouble paying attention. Symptoms of lead poisoning include:. A simple blood test can diagnose lead poisoning. Lead testing is also recommended for kids who live in an older home or whose parent has a hobby or job that involves being around lead. Any child who might have been exposed to lead should get tested. The most important part of treatment is preventing more exposure to lead.
The doctor will ask about the home to try to identify possible sources of lead. If a child has lead poisoning, all siblings should be tested. Calcium , iron , and vitamin C are important parts of a healthy diet and also help decrease how much lead the body absorbs.
Kids with high lead levels and symptoms of lead poisoning may need care in a hospital to get a medicine called a chelator KEE-lay-ter. The chelator helps remove the lead from the body. The effects of lead on development may not show up for years.
Doctors will closely follow the development of children with lead exposure at all regular checkups. Because there is no safe level for lead, try to protect kids from it.
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