Being safe around lead (1936)

What is lead?

• Lead is a soft metal found in nature.
• When lead enters the body it causes harm. There is no level of lead that is safe in the body

Where is lead found?

Lead can still be found around us because it was often used in the past in paint, gasoline and water pipes.

It can be found in:

• Paint (indoor and outdoor)
• Water
• Soil
• Products from other countries that still use lead like makeup, ceramic glaze, medical remedies, jewelry and candies.
• Adults need to know that there is lead in bullets, gun supplies, fishing gear and more. (Any bullets or guns should be kept locked and away from children.)

What does lead do to a body?

• —You can’t always tell when a child is exposed to lead, but over time it can cause:
  • Slowed body and brain growth
  • Damage to the brain and nervous system
  • Learning and behavior problems
  • Hearing and speech problems

What can I do to protect my child?

Have a blood lead test done at your doctor’s office

• Every child should be tested at age 1 and 2 years.
• Children who live in the city of Milwaukee should also be tested at age 3, 4 and 5 years.

Wash hands before every meal and at bedtime

Adults always wash hands after touching bullets or fishing gear

Clean up dust around windows, doors and floors.

• Every week use paper towels, soap and water to clean up lead dust.
• Wipe down areas where paint is chipping
• Use duct tape to cover cracks or chips in paint on walls and doors.

Wash toys, bottles, pacifiers and clothes with soap and water regularly.

Leave your shoes at the door to keep lead from coming into your home.

Use a water filter. Replace it regularly.

• Use a filter that is certified to remove lead. Look for a NSF/ANSI 53 filter.
• If you do not have a filter, or think you have unsafe water pipes always run your cold tap water for 3 minutes between uses.

Give your child healthy foods.

Feed your child foods with calcium, iron and vitamin C.  These foods may help keep lead out of the body.

• Calcium: cheese, yogurt, beans and lentils, almonds, leafy greens, milk.
• Iron: raisins, prunes, dried apricots, spinach, broccoli, eggs, chicken, beans and lentils.
• Vitamin C:citrus fruits, like oranges, lemons and limes, bell peppers, white potatoes, tomatoes, broccoli, strawberries.