Lead Is Still Around!!!
Contents of this Article
IMPORTANT Lead Facts!
Lead From Paint, Dust, and Soil Can Be Dangerous if Not Managed Properly
FACT: Pregnant women, the developing fetuses, and young children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of lead. Lead exposure can harm young children and babies even before they are born. Women with a high lead level in their system prior to pregnancy would expose a fetus to lead through the placenta during fetal development.
FACT: Young children are more likely to play in dirt, on porches or fences, then place their hands and other objects in their mouths, thereby increasing the opportunity for exposure via ingestion of lead-contaminated soil and dust.
FACT: Even children who seem healthy can have high levels of lead in their bodies.
FACT: Lead is even more dangerous to children who are 6 or younger. At this age children's brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead. Children's growing bodies absorb more lead. Babies and young children often put their hands and other objects in their mouths. These objects can have lead dust on them.
FACT: People can get lead in their bodies by breathing or swallowing lead dust (especially during renovations that disturb painted surfaces), or put their hands or other objects covered with lead dust in their mouths, or by eating soil or paint chips containing lead.
FACT: Removing lead-based paint improperly can increase the danger of your family.
If you think your home has high levels of lead, call the numbers below to help you prevent lead poisoning and eliminate the problem forever.
For More Information
There are state and federal programs in place to ensure that testing for lead is done safely, reliably, and effectively. Contact your state or local agency, or for more information on lead poisoning, or for other information on lead hazards call:
National Lead Information Center to speak with a lead information specialist.
1-800-424-LEAD (5323).
EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline for information on lead hazards in your drinking water.
1-800-426-4791
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Hotline for information on lead in consumer products, or to report an unsafe consumer product or a product-related injury.
1-800-638-2772
For information on lead regulations, outreach efforts, and lead hazard control and research grant programs contact:
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control
451 Seventh Street, SW, P-3206
Washington, DC 20410
202-755-1785
Hearing Impaired call the Federal Information Relay Service
1-800-877-8339.
The information provided in this summary is based upon scientific and technical understanding of the issues presented and is reflective of the jurisdictional boundaries established by the statutes governing the co-authoring agencies. Following the advice given will not necessarily provide complete protection in all situations or against all health hazards that can be caused by lead exposure.
U.S. EPA Washington DC 20460
U.S. CPSC Washington DC 20207
U.S. HUD Washington DC 20410
EPA747-K99-001
June 2003
References:
1) ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry) - Department of Health and Human Services - January 2008 - www.atsdr.cdc.gov
2) EPA - United States Environmental Protection Agency - June 2003 - www.epa.gov
3) United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - FDA Consumer - January - February 1998 - www.cfsan.fda.gov
4) National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) - National Institutes of Health - Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) - Jan 2008 - www.niehs.nih.gov
This summary is a general overview about the topic discussed and does not include all the facts, or include everything there is to know about any medicine and/or products mentioned. Do not use any medicine and/or products without first talking to your doctor. Possible side effects of medications, other than those listed, may occur. Full Disclaimer & General Safety Advisory