Protect Your Child from Lead Poisoning

You can't see, taste, or smell lead. But lead could be in the water, paint (made before 1978), and dust in your home. It can also be found in dirt. Children can put these things in their mouth and get lead in their bodies.

If your child gets too much lead in his or her body, it is called lead poisoning. Lead poisoning can cause:

• Slow growth

• Learning and hearing problems

• Brain damage

Here are some things you can do to protect your child from lead poisoning:

Have your child tested

All children should be tested for lead at age 1 and age 2. Ask your child's doctor what age is best for your child. Your child could have dangerous levels of lead, even if he or she seems healthy. Keep your house clean

Clean the floors, window frames, windowsills, and the rest of your home at least once a week. Use warm water and soap with phosphates in it. This helps clean away any lead.

Keep hands and face clean

Wash your child's hands and face, especially before he or she eats and goes to sleep. Wash your child's toys, bottles, and pacifiers too.

Let the water run

Run cold water for 30 to 60 seconds before using it (if you haven't used the faucet in two hours). There is more lead in water that has been sitting.

Serve certain foods

Give your child foods with lots of iron and calcium. These help the body absorb lead more slowly. Meat and beans have lots of iron. Milk and cheese have lots of calcium.