Monthly Health Articles Archive

Learn about the dangers of lead poisoning

If you live or spend time in a house that was built before 1978 or are renovating an older home, it's important to learn about some of the health risks related to lead poisoning.

Lead poisoning is a health problem that can affect both adults and children, but has a more serious impact on children age six and under. Babies and small children are still forming their brains and nervous system, and both can be permanently damaged by exposure to lead. Their small bodies tend to absorb more lead than adults, which can lead to health issues such as behavior and learning disorders, hearing problems, slowed growth and headaches. Infants and toddlers are also more likely to put their hands and other strange items in their mouth, such as paint chips or toys covered with lead dust. Childhood lead poisoning is an ongoing health issue in the state of Iowa. Even children who appear to be healthy could potentially be affected by lead. Adults can also be negatively affected by lead. Difficulties during pregnancy, reproductive problems, high blood pressure, digestive problems, nerve disorders, memory issues, and muscle or joint pain are some of the common effects.

Getting lead into your system can happen in a variety of ways. People can absorb lead if they put their hands or other objects covered with lead dust in their mouths, eat paint chips or soil that contains lead or if they breathe in lead dust (this type of dust is often created during renovation that disturbs painted surfaces). Water, air, ceramics, certain types of home remedies and some cosmetics have also been identified as possible sources of lead poisoning. The most common culprit, however, is lead paint inside and outside of people's homes. Before 1978 lead paint was still used on a regular basis for interior painting. If you suspect your home has lead paint in it and the paint is chipping, cracking, peeling or chalking, it is a health hazard. Windowsills, doorways, fences, stairs and porches are often problem areas around the home. It is important to learn about the proper way to remove this paint to avoid spreading lead dust into the air. The Environmental Protection Agency hosts a website with information about lead poisoning and removing lead paint from your home. For this information go to http://www.epa.gov/lead/.

To protect yourself and your family from lead poisoning, assess the condition of the paint in your home. Clean floors, windowsills and other surfaces weekly, keep play areas clean and wash toys regularly. Wash children's hands frequently, especially before they eat or sleep. Children who eat nutritious, low fat meals with high amounts of iron and calcium absorb less lead.

The only way to determine whether your children have high levels of lead in their blood to is have them tested. Kossuth Regional Health Center Community Health offers lead testing on a regular basis. The KRHC clinic also has an option for lead testing at an infant's 12-month appointment. For more information about lead testing or the health problems related to high lead levels, please contact Kossuth Regional Health Center Community Health at 515.295.4430.

-Karen Garman is a nurse in KRHC Community Health