Preventing Childhood Lead Exposure

Childhood lead poisoning is one of the most preventable environmental health issues affecting young children. Despite this, around half a million children in the U.S. have blood lead levels exceeding 3.5 micrograms per deciliter—the level at which the CDC advises public health intervention. Lead exposure can have lasting effects on children, impacting IQ, attention span, and academic performance, even at low levels. Children under six are especially vulnerable due to their rapid growth and tendency to place hands or objects potentially contaminated with lead dust into their mouths.

The Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department (BLDHD) offers education, referrals, and follow-up support to help reduce lead exposure and prevent further risks to children. Blood lead screenings are available for children with Medicaid health insurance through the Women, Infant, Children (WIC) program at 12 and 24 months of age. Your child's doctor can also do a blood lead screening.

Lead in the Home

The most hazardous sources of lead exposure for children are lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust. Lead-based paint was banned in 1978, but homes built before then likely contain some amount of it. The real danger comes from deteriorating lead paint, which can release toxic dust particles. Today, an estimated 24 million housing units in the U.S. have deteriorating lead paint and elevated levels of lead-contaminated dust. Over 4 million of these homes house young children, placing them at significant risk for lead exposure.

Other Common Sources of Lead & how to Reduce Exposure:

• Soil – Soil near busy roads, industrial areas, or older buildings may contain lead from past emissions. Limit children’s play in bare soil by using sandboxes or covering bare spots with grass, mulch, or wood chips.

• Toy Jewelry – Low-cost toy jewelry, often found in vending machines, may contain lead. Although these items may not cause high lead levels in blood, small children who put jewelry in their mouths are at risk. Keep such items away from young children.

• Toys – Imported toys or older toys passed down through generations may contain lead in paint or plastic. To reduce exposure, check CPSC recalls and inspect older toys for potential risks.

• Water – Lead can be present in older pipes or faucets. To minimize risk, use only cold tap water for drinking and cooking, as hot water can leach more lead from pipes.

• Food Containers and Utensils – Imported or old pottery, ceramics, and painted glassware may contain lead, which can leach into food and drinks. Avoid using decorative or vintage containers for food storage or serving, especially with acidic foods.

• Occupational Exposure – Adults working in construction, plumbing, painting, or battery manufacturing may carry lead dust home on clothing or equipment. To prevent contamination, they should change clothes and shower before interacting with children.

• Hobbies – Activities like stained glass making, refinishing furniture, or handling lead bullets and fishing sinkers can expose people to lead dust or fumes. Take precautions, such as wearing protective gear and working in well-ventilated spaces, and keep children away from hobby areas.

• Cosmetics and Traditional Remedies – Certain imported cosmetics and folk remedies (e.g., kohl, azarcon, or greta) may contain lead. Avoid using unregulated products and check with health authorities if in doubt.

Additional steps to prevent exposure to lead:

• Make sure your child does not have access to peeling paint or chewable surfaces painted with lead-based paint. If a structure was built prior to 1978, you should assume that the paint has lead (unless tests have shown otherwise).
• If your home is undergoing renovation, create barriers between living/play areas and construction areas. Children and pregnant women should not participate in activities that disturb old paint or in cleaning up paint debris after work is completed. Regularly wash children’s hands and toys. Hands and toys can become contaminated from household dust or exterior soil. Both are known lead sources.
• Regularly wet-mop floors and wet-wipe window components. Because household dust is a major source of lead, you should wet-mop floors and wet-wipe horizontal surfaces every 2-3 weeks.
• Take off shoes when entering the house to prevent bringing lead-contaminated soil in from outside.

Sources

• Help to Make Your Home and Family Lead-Safe- Mi Lead Safe
• Michigan Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention (MiLead) Dashboard
• Centers for Disease Control- Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention
• Centers for Disease Control- Pregnancy information
• United States Environmental Protection Agency- A Parent’s Reference Guide