Michigan Children and Lead Poisoning
Here in the Detroit area, we have quite an issue with our children and lead poisoning.
Occasionally news stories turn up talking about the dangers of lead poisoning... but how can we avoid the lead in the first place? Where is lead likely to be a hazard?
Paint Chips & Dust
Lead from paint chips (which you can see) and lead dust (which you can't) are serious hazards. Adults suffer most poisoning from working around lead dust, or carrying the dust home from a worksite to share with the family.
Children are notorious for putting stuff in their mouths. And chips of lead paint are the most common sources for lead poisoning in children... but there is something new causing trouble.
Toys
An increasing number of imported toys contain very dangerous levels of lead.
How Lead Paint Gets Into The System
Lead-based paint that is in good condition is usually not a hazard. But areas getting remodeled or areas that get lots of wear-and-tear can spread lead dust/chips: windows & window sills; doors & frames; stairs and banisters; porches & fences.
Lead dust can form when the paint is dry-scraped, dry-sanded, or heated. Settled dust can re-enter the air when people vacuum, sweep or walk through it.
Checking Your Family and Home for Lead
Have your children and home tested if you think your home has high levels of lead.
To reduce your child’s exposure to lead, get your child checked, have your home tested (especially if your home has paint in poor condition and was built before 1978), and fix any hazards you may have.
Your Family
Children’s blood lead levels tend to increase rapidly from 6 to 12 months of age, and tend to peak at 18 to 24 months of age.
Consult your doctor for advice on testing your children. A simple blood test can detect high levels of lead. Blood tests are important for:
Your doctor can explain what the test results mean and if more testing will be needed.
Your Home
You can get your home checked in one of two ways (or both):
Have qualified professionals do the work. There are standards in place for certifying lead-based paint professionals to ensure that the work is done safely, reliably and effectively. Trained professionals use a range of methods when checking your home, including:
Side Note: Home test kits for lead are available, but studies suggest that they are not always accurate. Consumers should not rely on these tests before doing renovations or to assure safety.
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