Get the Lead Out

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This month I would like to share information about lead poisoning in our children.  As a registered dietitian I provide information about how one’s diet can actually increase or decrease the amount of lead absorb by the body.  Fetuses, infants, and children are more vulnerable to lead exposure than adults since lead is more easily absorbed into growing bodies, and the tissues of small children are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead. Children are more likely to have higher exposures because they are more likely to get lead dust on their hands and then put their fingers or other lead-contaminated objects into their mouths.

Recently many parents were surprised to learn learned popular children’s toys were being recalled due to lead.  It is important that we are all aware of the harmful side effects of lead and lead poisoning.  There are many ways that we can be exposed to lead; through air, drinking water, food, contaminated soil, deteriorating paints (paint used prior to 1978 may contain lead), and dust.  Airborne lead enters the body when an individual breaths or swallows lead particles or dust once it has settled.  Before it was known how harmful lead could be, it was used in paint, gasoline, water pipes, and many other products.

In addition to being conscious of toy recalls, the Omaha Healthy Kid’s Alliance would like to remind you about five easy steps that can help protect children from lead.

THINK ABOUT FOOD

  • Feed children a diet rich in iron and calcium.  Children with good diets absorb less lead.
  • Serve and store food in lead-free containers, such as glass, stainless steel or food grade plastic.
  • Wrap food that goes in a child’s vinyl lunch box because some have been found to contain lead.

WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE YOU EAT.

  • Wash your child’s hands often, especially before they eat or sleep.
  • Wash your hands before you handle food for your family.
  • Wash off kitchen surfaces with soap and water before fixing meals.

STAY AWAY FROM LEAD-BASED PAINT.

  • Check your home for chipping or peeling paint-especially the windows and porches, if
    your house was built before 1978.
  • Make repairs using lead safe precautions as soon as possible.

LEAVE YOUR SHOES AT THE DOOR.

  • Keep dust and soil that may be contaminated with lead outside.
  • Cover bare soil with plants, grasses or other groundcover.
  • Take off your shoes before entering the house and use washable doormats and rugs to
    help trap dirt so it does not get into your home.
  • Vacuum carpets often.

SEE YOUR DOCTOR FOR A BLOOD TEST.

  • Get your child tested for lead poisoning every year, even if he or she seems healthy.
  • All children should be tested at 1, 2 and 3 years of age.
  • Also test children at ages 4, 5, and 6 if you live in a house built before 1978.

To view more information please visit our web site at:  http://www.omahalead.com/

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