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Lead is poison.
It's found in many homes in:
- paint
- dust
- tap water
- glazed pottery
- some plastic miniblinds made outside the United States
- It may also be in the dirt outside your home.
A child may eat lead or breath it in. Lead dust on fingers can get into a child's mouth.
Lead can make it hard for your child to learn. It can cause health problems, too.
Babies exposed to lead before birth may be born too small or too early.
The danger is hard to see. A child can be hurt by lead and still look fine. Signs of damage may not show up for years. Your child may have:
- learning problems
- trouble concentrating
- anemia
- hearing loss
- a upset stomach
But don't wait for signs like these. By then it may be too late to prevent lasting harm.
There is a simple blood test for lead. Ask about testing for your child today. You can call
- your doctor's office
- a local health clinic
Pregnant women should ask about testing too. An unborn baby is easily hurt by lead.
Protect your child from lead.
- Keep your child from eating paintchips, dust or dirt. Clean the items up with a wet mop or wet cloth.
- Have your child wash his or her hands after playing outside -- and before meals and bedtime.
- Wash your child's boys often.
- If you work around lead, avoid bringing lead dust into your home.
- Run the water until it's as cold as it can get. Do this before you first use it in the morning.
- Give your child a diet rich in calcium, vitamin C and iron. Some good sources are milk, green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, bread, cereal and meat.
- Do not let your child eat snow or icicles.
- Replace plastic miniblinds with a type that is lead-free.
Take action against lead in your home.
Have your house and water tested for lead. Call your:
- local health department
- housing authority
- water company
- Get expert help
If you have a problem with lead. Don't try to remove lead paint by yourself. You may be able to get help with the cost of lead cleanup. Call your health department to find out.
Learn more about protecting your child from lead. Call 1-800-LEAD-FYI (1-800-532-3394) or 1-800-424-LEAD (1-800-424-5323).
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