Preventing Lead

Poisoning
Do:
Eat a diet rich in vitamin C, iron, and
calcium. This prevents your body from
absorbing and storing lead in the body.
Clean your floors with a wet mop.
Clean with a wet rag or paper towel.
Use high efficiency particulate air filter
(HEPA) vacuums for carpets and rugs.
Wash surfaces weekly.
Wash your child’s hands often,
especially before eating and sleeping.
Cover bare soil with grass, mulch, or a
cover.
Remove items that have been recalled.
If you work with lead: Shower and
change your clothes and shoes before
going home or getting into your car.
Wash your work clothes separately from
your family’s laundry.
Contact your pediatrician to have your
child tested for lead.
Don't:
Childhood
Don’t perform renovations on areas that
Lead
haven’t been tested for lead. Dry
scraping or sanding down areas can
Poisoning
Prevention
release potential lead dust.
Don’t let your child chew on painted
surfaces or eat paint chips. Lead-based
paint can be sweet, making it appealing
to children.
Don’t use glazed pots and dishes that
are antiques, handmade, or brightly
colored. Pottery can contain
lead-based glaze, which can
release lead in to prepared food.
Only buy dishes from a trusted store.
More information and helpful links at:
sanantonio.gov/Health

JUNE 2023
Why should I worry
about lead?
Lead is a toxic metal that can damage your
body. Dangerous for everyone, but
especially for young children. Toxic effects
of lead poisoning:
Brain and nerve damage
Decreased mental ability & learning
difficulties
Speech, language and hearing
problems.
Behavioral problems.
Anemia
High blood pressure
Reduced growth
There is no safe level of lead. Even a low
blood lead level can affect a child's health
and growth. Contact your pediatrician to
have your child tested for lead.
How does lead enter a
child’s body?
Lead enters the body in two ways:
Ingesting lead dust.
Breathing in lead dust.
Younger children are at a greater risk of
lead poisoning. They tend to put their
fingers and objects in their mouths. If lead
dust is on their hands or on objects, they
run the risk of ingesting lead.The only way
to determine lead exposure is to test.
Contact your pediatrician to have your
child tested for lead.
Lead and Older Homes Consumer Goods
Imported, antiques and handmade
Laws and regulations banned the use of products may contain lead.
lead in products we use. But lead is still a Lead may be found in:
danger for yourself and your family.
Clay pots or dishes, crystal glass, and
Older homes built pre-1978 may contain ceramics.
lead-based paint. As this paint wears down Kohl, surma, and sindoor. (It’s
and chips, it can release lead dust. important to use lead-free versions of
these products.)
Lead-based paint is commonly found
Toys and children's jewelry.
on:
Home remedies like azarcon, pay-loo-
Doorways
ah, and liga.
Windows
Turmeric, chili powder, and other
Walls
imported spices.
Fences
Porches To identify lead-free products read the
label and if there is no label, or it’s not
Soil near or around the home
clear if there is lead, do NOT use the
product.
Don’t Take Home Lead
Lead exposure occurs in many
industries like construction and
manufacturing. It can also come from
our favorite hobbies. Lead can be
found in:
Painting, remodeling, renovation,
or demolition work
Battery and radiator repair
Firing ranges
Soldering, welding
Scrap metal operations or
foundries