LEAD PAINT INFORMATION
LEAD PAINT INFORMATION
Lead is very dangerous to children. A child’s growing body absorbs more lead than adults do. A young child between to ages of 9 month and 6 years old are at most risk. Their brains and nervous systems are very sensitive to the effects of lead. If you are pregnant, lead can hurt your baby.
One of the reasons babies and young children are so susceptible to lead poisoning is because they are constantly putting their fingers and other objects into their mouth that can have lead from dust or soil on them.
CHILDREN CAN BE EXPOSED TO LEAD PAINT BY:
• Using dishes or glasses that contain lead.
• Inhaling lead dust from lead-based paint. When lead-based paint peels or cracks it makes lead dust that can poison children when they swallow or breathe in the lead dust.
• Playing in lead contaminated soil.
• Playing with toys with lead-based paint.
• Houses built before 1978 used lead paint. Lead-based paint was banned after 1978.
• Peeling or cracking lead-based paint. Young child may swallow the peeling paint.
• Certain water pipes can contain lead.
• Lead can be in candies from other countries, like Mexico.
• An adult can bring lead dust into the home if it is present at their workplace (Construction workers, Auto repair, Plumbing, working with batteries, and Welders )
• Some hobbies like stain glass may contain lead-based products and the lead dust can be brought into the home.
• Renovations being done to older homes can cause lead dust to fall inside and outside the home.
• Make-up
• Toy jewelry
• Imported cans of food
• Home remedies, especially red, yellow, orange
• White powders used for stomachaches (such as Azarcon or Paylooah)
LEAD POISONING SYMPTOMS:
Most children who have lead poisoning do not look or act sick. A lead test is the only way to know if your child has lead poisoning. Here are some symptoms you can look for:
Some children may have:
• Upset stomach
• Trouble eating or sleeping
• Headaches
• Trouble paying attention
Often lead paint poisoning is detected when a baby or young child has a routine physical and blood test.
It is important that you have your tested before they attend a childcare program. This help you to determine if your child has a high level of lead paint from your home or from the childcare environment.
The long-term effects of lead are very harmful to children. Elevated lead paint levels do not go away.
LONG-TERM EFFECTS CAN:
• Harm the brain, kidneys, and nervous system
• Slow down growth and development
• Make it difficult for the child to learn.
• Damage hearing and speech
• Cause behavior problems
According to the Massachusetts Department of Health, Childhood Lead Paid Poisoning Prevention Program, a blood lead level of 5 or more is not safe. A lead level of 10 or more means your child is lead poisoned. With levels of 10 or more, your child may have to stay in the hospital. The doctor may give your child medication to help get the lead out of the child’s body. This is call “chelation”.
If you suspect development problems with your child, talk to your doctor. The child may need special education programs that can start before they go to school and continue while they are in school.
If your child has elevated levels of lead, you will be contacted by a lead inspector and if your home is tested for lead if must be fixed. Children also need a follow-up lead test to see if the child is getting better
It is important to find out where your child is getting lead. If you rent your home, ask your landlord to test your home for lead. If your landlord refuses, call CLPPP*. A state inspector will test your home for free. Your landlord must pay to fix the lead in the home. Families with children under 6 years old are protected by law.
If you own your home, hire a licensed lead inspector to test your home. If there is lead paint in your home, the owner must fix it. Fixing the lead paint in a home is called de-leading.
De-leading can be dangerous. It must be done by someone who has been trained to do the work safely. Some work can only be done by a licensed de-leader. To learn more, call CLPPP to request a copy of the De-leading booklet.
If you own your home, you can get money to help you pay for de-leading.
Call the Get The Lead Out Program at 1-617-854-1000 for details.
Until the lead is removed, there are 3 easy things you can do to protect your child from lead:
1. KEEPING CLEAN:
• Often wipe down surfaces with a wet wipe, this will reduce lead dust.
• When cleaning always wear gloves.
• Using a spray bottle will reduce dust.
• Scrub surfaces with an all-purpose cleaner.
• Use a new paper towel to clean each area. Using a cloth or sponge will only spread the dust.
• Using the paper towel, put the paint chips and the paper towel in a plastic bag and close bag tightly before putting it in the trash.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after cleaning.
• Do not use a vacuum or a broom to clean up lead paint or dust. This can spread dust into the air.
• Be sure to clean in and around windows, play areas and floors.
• Wash hands and toys often.
• Clean at least once a week.
• Take shoes off before coming inside. Use a doormat to wipe your feet.
2. KEEP CHILDREN SAFE AND AWAY FROM LEAD PAINT AND DUST.
• Wash your child’s hands often and always before eating and sleeping.
• Wash your children’s toys with soap and water.
• If a family member works with lead, they should change clothes before they come home. They should shower before playing with children.
• Wash work clothes separate from the rest of the laundry.
• Use contact paper or duct tape to cover loose paint in and around windows and walls.
• Move furniture in front of peeling paint or plaster.
• Never place furniture where a child may climb on it and fall out of a window.
• Keep the lower part of the window closed.
• Open only the upper part, if you can.
• Change your child’s bedroom. If your child’s bedroom has chipping paint, use another room.
• Do not do any remodeling or repair work until your home has been inspected for lead.
3. GIVE YOUR CHILD HEALTHY FOODS.
Look for foods with calcium, iron, and vitamin C. These foods can help keep lead out of the body.
• Calcium is in milk, yogurt, cheese, and green leafy vegetables like spinach.
• Iron is in lean meats, fish, beans, cereals, nuts, and peanut butter.
• Vitamin C is in oranges, tomatoes, green and red peppers, and juice.
Give your child healthy snacks like:
• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Whole grain crackers Cheese and yogurt
Give your child 4 to 6 small meals a day.
• Children absorb less lead on a full stomach.
4. MAKE MEALTIMES SAFER.
• Eat at the table.
• Don’t eat food that has fallen on the floor.
• Wash your child’s hands before every snack or meal.
• Use cold water for cooking, drinking, and making formula.
The Massachusetts Lead Law
The Lead Law protects children under 6 years old who live in a home built before 1978. If there is lead paint in the home, the owner must fix it.
Property owners must obey the law. If a child gets lead poisoning from their home, the owner or landlord is responsible.
Discrimination
If you rent your home:
• Your landlord cannot evict you or raise your rent because of lead paint.
• A landlord cannot refuse to rent to you because you have children, even if there is lead in the home. This is illegal.
• A landlord cannot refuse to rent to you because of your race, income, or disability.
• If you have a problem with discrimination, call CLPPP for help.
*CLPPP stands for the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. If you have questions about lead, call CLPPP for toll free at 1-800-532-9571 or visit http://www.mass.gov/dph/CLPPP
RESOURCE
Childhood Lead Poisoning
Prevention Program (CLPPP) Massachusetts Department of Public Health 250 Washington St., 7th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Call: 1-800-532-9571 or 617-624-5757 TTY: 617-624-5286
Email: clppp@state.ma.us
On the web: www.mass.gov/dph/clppp
Massachusetts Department of Public Health Bureau of Environmental Health