Effects of Lead Exposure Brochure- (1/19) COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING
POTENTIAL SOURCES OFLEAD • Old paint, especially if it is chipped or peeling or if the home has been recently repaired orremodeled • Housedust • Soil • Some imported dishes, pots and water crocks. Some older dishware, especially if it is cracked, chipped, or worn • Work clothes and shoes wornif working withlead • Some food, candies andspices from other countries • Some jewelry, toys, andother consumer products • Some traditional homeremedies and traditional make-up • Lead fishing weights and lead bullets • Water, especially if plumbing materials containlead SYMPTOMS OF LEAD EXPOSURE Most children whohave lead poisoning do not look or act sick. LEAD POISONINGFACTS • Buildup of lead in the body is referred to as lead poisoning. • Lead is a naturally occurring metal that has been used in many products and is harmfulto the humanbody. • There is no known safe levelof lead in thebody. • Small amounts of lead in the body can cause lifelonglearning and behavior problems. • Lead poi - soning is one of the most common environmental illnesses in Californiachildren. • The United States has taken many steps to remove sourcesof lead, but lead is still aroundus. IN THEUS: • Lead in house paint wasseverely reduced in1978. • Lead solder in food canswas banned in the1980s. • Lead in gasoline was removedin the early1990s. Symptoms, if any, may be confused with common childhood complaints, such as stomachache, crankiness, headaches, or loss ofappetite.
OPTIONS FOR LEAD TESTING
EFFECTS OF LEAD EXPOSURE Children 1-6 years old are the mostat risk for leadpoisoning. • Lead poisoning can harm a child’s nervous system and brain when they are still forming, causing learning and behavior problems that may last alifetime. • Lead can lead to a low bloodcount (anemia). • Even small amounts of lead in the body can make it hard forchildren to learn, pay attention, and succeed inschool. • Higher amounts of lead exposure can damage the nervous system, kidneys, and other major organs. Very high exposure can lead to seizures ordeath. Filter your water- Consider using a water filter certified to remove lead. WARNING! Some water crocks have lead. Do not give a child water from a water crock unless you know the crock does not havelead. (*Water saving tip: Collect your run- ning water and use it to water plants not intended for eating.) For information on testing your water for lead, visit The Environmental Pro- tection Agency at www.epa.gov/lead/ protect- your-family-exposures-lead
A blood lead test is free if youhave Medi-Cal or if you are in the Child Health and Disability Prevention Program (CHDP). Childrenon Medi-Cal, CHDP, Head Start, WIC,or at risk for lead poisoning, should be tested at age 1 and 2. Health insurance plans will also pay for this test. Ask your child’s doctor about blood leadtesting. For more information, go to the California Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch’s website at www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/clppb, or call them at (510)620-5600. (The information and images found on this publication are adapted from the California Department of Public Health Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program.) 1/2019 Tap water is more likely to have lead if: • Plumbing materials,including fixtures, solder (used for joining metals), or service lines have lead in them; • Water does not come from a public water system (e.g., a private well). To reduce any potential exposure to lead in tapwater: • Flush the pipes in yourhome Let water run at least 30
or call (800)426-4791. You can also visit The California De- partment of Public Health’s website at https://www.cdph.ca.gov.
seconds before using it for cooking, drinking, or baby formula (if used). If water has not been used for 6 hours or longer, let water run until it feels cold (1 to 5minutes.)* • Use only cold tap water for cooking, drinking, or baby formula (if used) If water needs to be heated, use cold water and heat on stove or in microwave. • Care for yourplumbing Lead solder should not be used for plumbing work. Periodically remove faucet strainers and run water for 3-5 minutes.*
The only way to know if tap water has lead is to have ittested.
UCSF California Childcare Health Program ● Lead Poisoning Prevention
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