Simple steps to reduce lead exposure

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Simple steps to reduce lead exposurehttp://www.windsorstar.com/health/Simple+steps+reduce+lead+exposure/2680007/story.html Blood test will pick up trace amountsQ I am worried about lead toxicity. I have heard about lead in toys and children's jewelry and wonder whether I should have my children tested. What symptoms should I watch for?A Lead is a highly toxic metal that occurs naturally in the earth's crust. We are all exposed to lead in the soil, air, household dust, drinking water and even some consumer products like certain imported toys and cheap jewelry.

The good news is that lead levels in the blood of children have declined significantly over the past few decades thanks to federal laws restricting the use of lead in gasoline, paint and food cans.

The bad news is that there continues to be exposure from other sources and even very low levels in the blood can be associated with a variety of neurocognitive deficits like shortened attention span, decreased intelligence, and even asocial behaviour.

Lead is also toxic to the liver, blood system and kidneys. Signs and symptoms of low level lead exposure may be subtle.

For instance, anemia, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, constipation, fatigue, sleeplessness, irritability and headache can all be caused by lead exposure.

Of course, adults and children alike are susceptible to the effects of lead exposure.

Young children, however, are at particularly high risk of exposure as they tend to explore their environment via hand-to-mouth activity and also play close to the ground, where they are in close contact with household dust and soil.

We also know that children absorb lead much more efficiently than adults through their digestive systems.

Once the lead is absorbed, it is biologically more available in children than in adults, particularly if the child already has poor nutritional status.

The most important thing you can do to prevent your child from being exposed to lead is to be aware of possible sources in his environment. Air and food are, unfortunately, both sources of lead, but both are minor. Dust and soil can be significant sources of lead exposure, especially for young children. Lead dust can also come from within the home, especially older homes that used lead-based paint.

If your child spends time in an older home, particularly one that is being renovated, then exposure to lead is a concern.Drinking water can also be a source of lead exposure.

So, a few easy things to do to decrease risk of exposure to lead include running the cold water tap first thing in the morning, or any other time the system hasn't been used for a while.

Use only cold water for drinking and cooking since hot water will likely contain more lead.

If you live in an older home that you suspect may contain lead-based paint, keep the dust level at a minimum by damp mopping or wiping frequently. This is particularly important for surfaces that young children have close contact with.Avoid using glazed or ceramic dishes that you purchased outside of Canada.

Remove those Asian and Mexican PVC mini-blinds if you have young children.

Do not allow your children to have any cheap imported jewelry or zipper pulls and definitely discourage them from sucking on these things.

Please check out the health Canada website for more information on this important topic as well as a list of recalled products.

Your child's doctor can order a blood test for lead toxicity if you have concerns about exposure. There is treatment available so don't hesitate to ask about testing if you think your child is at risk.