Lead Poisoning Judith M. Khanuja, MPH Student Walden University PH 6165 Instructor: Dr. Stephen Arnold Spring Quarter, 2009

Goals: After listening to me, you should be able to: Tell me something about lead. Give examples of where lead is found. Be able to recognize the signs of lead poisoning. Know how to prevent lead poisoning.

What is Lead? Dangerous chemical that is harmful in your body. Cannot be seen, touched, or tasted. Can change the way your body works. Can work against the nutrients that help your body grow.

Where is Lead? Paint and Paint Chips Dust Dirt Water Toys Pottery and Crystal Vinyl Mini blinds

Paint Some paint has lead that can chip or peel. Many older houses that were painted with this paint can have chips and dust in it. The paint on window sills, door frames, stairs, fences, etc. are all areas that chip easily.

Dust Lead dust can be in the house from the paint or if workers were in the house using equipment that spread the dust around.

Dirt Dirt can have lead. It gets in the dirt because of the paint chips, dust, or even from cars that use lead gas.

Water Some water can have lead in it. If it comes to your house through lead pipes the lead will be in the water. Lead gets in the water easier when it is warm or hot. Boiling the water does not get rid of the lead.

Toys Some toys can have lead. If they are dirty, painted with lead paint, or come from another country you should check with your mom to see if they are lead free before you play with them.

Pottery and Crystal Pottery containers and crystal can have lead in them, especially if they came from another country. You should never play with these items.

Vinyl Mini Blinds Some vinyl mini blinds that are made in other countries can have lead in them. The sun breaks down the vinyl and releases lead dust into the room.

Why are you telling me? I am telling you this because you can get lead into your body by any of these ways. You are young and this means you are still growing. Small children put their hands in their mouth and can get the lead in their body easy.

How do I know If I have Lead Poisoning? You may have lead poisoning if you have: Loss of appetite (not hungry) Weight Loss Problems Sleeping Problems going to the Bathroom Irritability (Cranky) Always Tired

What If I Have it? If you go to your doctor he will test you to see if you have lead in your blood. He will tell you what you need to do to be sure that you don’t get sick. If you need it, your doctor will give you medicine. If you have it you may also need to take medicine to increase your iron level.

How Do I Get Rid of It?

How Do I Make Sure I Don’t Get It? Keep your house clean. Wipe up any paint chips, dirt, or dust with a wet sponge or rag. Eat a very good diet.

Keep Your House Clean Wash floors, window sills, door frames, etc. with a wet sponge or mop at least once per week. When you come in the house from playing remove your shoes so that lead dirt won’t come in the house. Keep all toys clean. Wash your hands after playing.

Wipe with a Wet Sponge or Rag If there are paint chips, dust, or dirt always use a wet sponge or rag to clean it up. Completely rinse the sponges and rags after using them so that the lead does not stay in the house.

Eat a Very Good Diet You and your family should eat a well balanced diet that is low in fat and high in calcium and iron. This includes: milk, cheese, fish, green vegetables, peanut butter, raisins. Eat three times each day. Don’t eat fried or fatty foods because they can allow the lead to get the body faster.