Historians suspect that some ancient empires tumbled when leaders became deranged or died of poisoning because they used lead to sweeten wine, drank from lead-lined aqueducts, and used utensils made with lead-based clays and paints.

Today our knowledge of lead poisoning keeps manufacturers and governments vigilant and lead exposure is greatly reduced. However lead still poses a significant health concern, especially among young children who could suffer permanent health effects.

Therefore, we are joining the Centers for Disease Control and the Department of Health and Human Services to raise awareness and provide important information about lead exposure during National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, October 23-29.

Health effects

When absorbed into the body, lead is highly toxic to many organs and systems and seriously hinders the body's neurological development. Lead is most harmful to children under age six because it is easily absorbed into their growing bodies and interferes with the developing brain and other organs and systems. Pregnant women and women of child-bearing age are also at increased risk, because lead ingested by the mother can cross the placenta and affect the unborn fetus.

A single high dose of lead can cause severe emergency symptoms. However, it is more common for lead poisoning to build up slowly over time. This occurs from repeated exposure to small amounts of lead. In this case, there may not be any obvious symptoms. Over time, even low levels of lead exposure can harm a child's mental development. The risk of serious health problems increase as the level of lead in the blood gets higher.

Adults who have had mildly high lead levels often recover without problems. Higher lead levels have a greater risk of long-lasting neurological, muscle, organ, and tissue damage.

Lead contamination

Lead used to be very common in gasoline and house paint in the U.S. before it was banned in the 60s and 70s. Children living in cities with older houses or along highways are more likely to have high levels of lead. According to the department of Housing and Urban Development, more than 38 million U.S. homes and apartments are burdened by lead-based paint, and more than 24 million of them contain substantial lead hazards. Unfortunately, you can't see, taste, or smell lead.

Lead is found in:

• House paint before 1978. Even if the paint is not peeling, it can be a problem. Lead paint is very dangerous when it is being stripped or sanded. These actions release fine lead dust into the air. Infants and children living in pre-1960's housing have the highest risk of lead poisoning. Small children often swallow paint chips or dust from lead-based paint.
• Toys and furniture painted before 1976.
• Painted toys and decorations made outside the U.S.
• Lead bullets, fishing sinkers, curtain weights.
• Plumbing, pipes, and faucets. Lead can be found in drinking water in homes containing pipes that were connected with lead solder. Although new building codes require lead-free solder, lead is still found in some modern faucets.
• Soil contaminated by decades of car exhaust or years of house paint scrapings. Lead is more common in soil near highways and houses.
• Low quality nutritional supplements (herbal products have the worst track records)
• Hobbies involving soldering, stained glass, jewelry making, pottery glazing, and miniature lead figures (always look at labels).
• Children's paint sets and art supplies (always look at labels).
• Pewter pitchers and dinnerware.
• Storage batteries.

Symptoms of lead poisoning

• Abdominal pain and cramping (usually the first sign of a high, toxic dose of lead poison)
• Aggressive behavior
• Anemia
• Constipation
• Difficulty sleeping
• Headaches
• Irritability
• Loss of previous developmental skills (in young children)
• Low appetite and energy
• Reduced sensations

Very high levels of lead may cause vomiting, staggering walk, muscle weakness, seizures, or coma. If someone has severe symptoms from possible lead exposure (such as vomiting or seizures) call 911 immediately.

For other symptoms that you think may be caused by lead poisoning, call your local poison control center. The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States.

What you can do to protect your family

• Get your home tested. Ask for a lead inspection before you buy a home built before 1978.
• Get your child tested. Ask your doctor to test your young children for lead--even if they seem healthy.
• If you discover or suspect you may have lead paint in your house, get advice on safe removal from the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at 800-RID-LEAD or the National Information Center at 800-LEAD-FYI. Another excellent source of information is the National Lead Information Center at (800) 424-5323.
• Keep your home as dust-free as possible.
• Have everyone wash their hands before eating.
• Throw out old painted toys if you do not know whether the paint contains lead.
• Let tap water run for a minute before drinking or cooking with it.
• If your water has tested high in lead, consider installing an effective filtering device or switch to bottled water for drinking and cooking.
• Avoid canned goods from foreign countries until the ban on lead soldered cans goes into effect.
• If imported wine containers have a lead foil wrapper, wipe the rim and neck of the bottle with a towel moistened with lemon juice, vinegar, or wine before using.
• Don't store wine, spirits, or vinegar-based salad dressings in lead crystal decanters for long periods of time, because lead can leach into the liquid.
• Get product recall updates automatically by subscribing to an RSS or recall app from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. These recall notices include all types of consumer goods—from toys and strollers to jewelry and ceramic dishes—all of which can be contaminated with lead.
• More information about preventing childhood lead poisoning is available at: www.leadfreekids.org.

Sources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Environmental Protection Agency

Alliance for Healthy Homes

National Library of Medicine