How do I avoid lead poisoning?
There are many sources of lead poisoning to children; however, the two largest are lead paint and bring-home lead from parents. The highest source of lead poisoning to adults is through their workplace.
Paint with a high lead content was used in most Kentucky homes built before 1978. Exposure to lead paint comes in the form of eating paint chips (also eating soil contaminated with lead), or breathing and/or swallowing lead dust caused by poorly maintained lead paint and improper lead-based paint removal.
If you suspect your home may have lead based paint:
- Have your home tested for lead (especially if your home has paint in poor condition) by calling a certified lead inspector or lead risk assessor. You may call Kentucky's Environmental Lead Program (ELP) at (502) 564-4537 or the Kentucky Child Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (KCLPPP) at 502-564-2154 to get more information. Home test kits for lead are available, but may not always be accurate.
- Have your child tested for lead. Lead testing can be performed at your local health department or at your child's private physician's office.
What you can do now if you suspect your house has lead paint to protect your family:
- If you rent, notify your landlord of peeling or chipping paint.
- Clean up paint chips immediately.
- Clean floors, window frames, window sills and other surfaces with a wet mop or sponge weekly.
- Thoroughly rinse sponges and mop heads after cleaning dirty or dusty areas.
- Wash children's hands often, especially before they eat and before nap time and bed time.
- Keep play areas clean, including pacifiers, toys and stuffed animals.
- Keep children from chewing window sills or other painted surfaces.
- Clean or remove shoes before entering your home to avoid tracking in lead from soil.
- Make sure children eat nutritious, low-fat meals high in iron and calcium, such as spinach and dairy products.
Do not use belt sanders, propane torches, high-temperature heat guns or dry scrapers and sanders to remove lead-based paint. Improper lead removal can increase the hazard to your family by spreading even more lead dust around the house. For more information on lead abatement click here.
If you work in any industry that uses lead (i.e. battery plants, lead smelters, lead-glazed pottery, etc.), make sure you get a lead blood test regularly. Follow lead-safe work practices outlined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Click here for OSHA lead guidelines.
Limit the amount of lead you take from work to your home by:
- Showering and changing clothes before coming home.
- Laundering work clothes separately from the rest of the family's clothes.
- Removing shoes off before entering the home.
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