Lead toxicity is the build up of lead in the body. Lead is not a natural substance in the body. Even tiny amounts can be harmful to a young child's developing nervous system. Children under the age of six are at highest risk of having lead toxicity. This is because young children often put non-food objects and their fingers in their mouths. If there is lead on or in the objects, or lead dust on the fingers, then children ingest the lead. Children living in older homes where lead paint has been used are at highest risk. Even if non-leaded paint has been applied over leaded paint, areas where paint or plaster is chipping can be sources of lead. Other sources of lead include: burning, sanding, or heat-stripping painted wood; lead pipes; lead crystal glassware and lead-glazed pottery; old painted toys or furniture; leaded gasoline; and soil and dust.

IS MY CHILD AT RISK?

If you have a child less than six years of age and you answer "yes" to any of these questions, your child is at risk of lead poisoning.

- Does my child have a habit of eating strange things like paint chips or dirt?

- Does my family live in a home that was built before 1960? -Does my child go to a babysitter or day care center built before 1960?

- Is my family fixing up our old home by sanding or heat stripping old paint?

- Does my child chew or suck on old painted toys or an old painted crib?

- Does anyone in my home use lead at his or her job? -Is my home near a factory that uses lead?

SYMPTOMS OF LEAD TOXICITY

Lead toxicity is not easily found by watching for signs or symptoms of illness, but when symptoms do occur, they include: headache, irritability, stomachache or cramps, difficulty sleeping, weight loss, and diarrhea or constipation. Signs of severe lead toxicity include: vomiting, joint pain, dizziness, lethargy (listless, no energy), and seizures.

HOW LEAD TOXICITY IS DIAGNOSED

A blood test is needed to check the level of lead in the blood. This is done by either a finger stick or by taking blood from a vein.

HOW LEAD TOXICITY IS TREATED

- The most important treatment is to get your child away from the source of lead.

- The child may be given medicine that binds the lead so it can be passed out of the body. Using medicine to reduce high lead level is called chelation (key-LAY-shun) therapy. The number of chelation treatments and the kind of medicine used depend on two things: how high the lead levels in the body are and how well the child responds to the medicine. Some children need only pills, but others need injections of medicine to bring down the level of lead in the blood. Others will just need to be monitored and take preventive steps.

- Good' nutrition is very important. Usually, children with lead toxicity do not have enough calcium or iron in their bodies. Try to have your child eat foods high in calcium, such as dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt). It is also important for your child to eat foods high in iron, such as beef, pork, chicken, eggs, iron-fortified cereals, and green, leafy vegetables. Citrus fruits or juices will help absorb the iron in these foods.

HOW TO PREVENT LEAD TOXICITY

To keep the child from being further exposed to lead, the child's surroundings will have to be checked for possible sources of lead. Special instruments are needed to detect lead in the home. Usually, the health department can do the lead screening for you. It is especially important to have the sources of lead removed from your home right away. Repainting or paneling may be necessary in some cases.

Other ways to prevent lead toxicity are:

- Serve foods high in calcium and iron.

- Practice good hand washing before meals.

- Use a high phosphate cleaning solution like "TSP" to damp mop dusty areas.

- Paint areas with latex paints (or cover with wallboard or wallpaper). Ask your local or state health department for information about lead clean up or removal.

- Never allow small children or pregnant women to be around when remodeling is done in older homes.
- Do not store food or drink in lead-glazed pottery. Imported pottery is more likely to he lead-glazed.

- Do not use lead crystal baby bottles or glassware for young children.

- Keep your house as dust-free as possible.

- You can request more information about lead toxicity from your local health department.