 With all the attention on the presence of lead in children's toys and products, it's important to remember that the biggest source of lead might be your home. Prior to 1978, lead was an active ingredient in exterior and interior residential paint. As old paint deteriorates, it creates an invisible layer of lead dust easily ingested by young, mobile children – often when they crawl on the floor and put their fingers and toys in their mouths.
Even very small doses of lead can cause poisoning, but the good news is that lead poisoning is 100% preventable! Here are simple measures you can take to keep your child lead safe:
*Wash your child's hands often to remove lead dust.
*Wash your child's toys and pacifiers often to remove lead dust.
*Wash hard surfaces like floors and windows 1 day a week, to remove dust.
*Give your baby foods high in calcium and iron.
*Wipe your feet! Keep lead dust outside.
*Have your baby tested for lead poisoning by their primary care provider at 9 months old, and again on their 2nd or 3rd birthdays.
With increased awareness of lead hazards, proper nutrition and cleaning techniques, parents can help prevent their children from ever being exposed to lead!
The NNCC provides in-home education and assessment for the threat of lead poisoning. To learn more about Lead Safe Babies, click here.
For more information about protecting your child from lead poisoning, call NNCC's Lead Safe Babies Hotline at 215-731-7148.
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