Get the Lead Out!

Lead is a dangerous and pervasive poison that damages virtually every system in the body. The health effects of lead consumption are serious and can be fatal. Both adults and children are at risk, but because adults have better developed neurological systems it takes more lead exposure to produce the same effects as in children. However, lead exposure can be deadly during pregnancy as women can pass lead to the unborn fetus.

1 out of every 11 children in the United States has dangerous levels of lead in their bloodstream. Even children who appear healthy can have dangerous levels of lead. It is very important to examine your potential sources of lead and to be able to recognize its effects in your children.

The health effects of lead in adults are:

* high blood pressure
* kidney and digestive problems
* memory loss and difficulty concentrating
* muscle and joint pain.

Children are at greater risk due to:

* young and developing nervous systems that are extremely vulnerable to toxic contaminants.

* frequent hand-to-mouth activity brings a child into greater contact with lead in the environment, especially in lead dust and soil.

* their absorption and retention of a larger percentage of ingested lead per unit of body weight than adults, which increases the toxic effects of the lead.

Things you should always DO:

* Each time you turn the water on for drinking or cooking, let it run for at least 30 seconds before using it. Water sitting in pipes for several hours has a greater chance of picking up lead contamination. Test your water with a two-sample test to be SURE!

* Damp-mop or wipe any windowsills, floors, or other areas where paint that may contain lead is peeling or flaking. Don't let your children play in untested suspect areas. Be careful -- normal vacuuming or dusting may just spread around the dust. TEST with Dust Wipes to be SURE!

* If you have young children, insist that your health professional test their blood lead levels, with a test sensitive enough to detect a problem at the current Centers for Disease Control threshold of 10 micrograms per deciliter (10 ug/dL).

Things you should AVOID to protect your family:

* Never use hot water for drinking, cooking, or especially for making baby formula. Heat increases the leaching of lead into water.

* Never store liquids in ceramic or leaded glass containers or crystal, especially in handmade containers that may contain lead. TEST with Ceramic Test wipes to be SURE!

*Never try to remove lead based paint or renovate your home without taking precautions to avoid exposure. Always make sure that lead-safe practices are used by a contractor and that all dust, paint and other sources of lead are completely removed from your home. TEST with Dust Wipes to be SURE!