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Copyright 2006 The Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning
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Lead-based paint was banned in 1978, but houses built before then probably still contain leaded paint. Children, particularly under the age of six, are most at risk from even small amounts of lead, and the damage can be permanent. But there are things you can do to protect your kids. Read on to learn more about the symptoms and causes of lead poisoning, how to help prevent it, how to have your child screened, and how to make the healthiest choices for your family.
Think about all possible sources of lead in your child's environment:

  • Lead poisoning in this community is almost entirely the result of deteriorated lead-based paint in housing. Most often the hazard is from microscopic particles of lead generated by friction between painted surfaces on windows, doors, and porches.

  • Deteriorating exterior paint might contaminate soil around the outside of your house. Since lead does not biodegrade or decay, the lead deposited into dust and soil becomes a long-term source of lead exposure for children. For example, although lead emissions from gasoline have largely been eliminated, tons of lead used in gasoline remains in dust and soil, and children continue to be exposed to it.

  • LEAD IN TOYS, National Center for Healthy Housing
  • Parents may expose their child to lead when workers wear their work clothes (from occupations where they work with lead) home and wash them with the family laundry or when they bring scrap or waste material home from work.
  • Hobbyists may also accidentally expose their families to lead. Hobbies such as furniture refinishing, making stained glass, using indoor firing ranges, doing home repairs, and making pottery may expose your child to lead poisoning.