Health Effects of Lead

Lead Poisoning is 100% PREVENTABLE.  However, children 6 years old and younger and Pregnant women are most at risk. This is because Fetuses and children 6 years and younger are still going through major developmental phases and children absorb lead into their bodies more readily than adults.    

Currently the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) consider a child to be lead poisoned when his/her blood lead level is at or above 10 µg/dL. However even lower levels of lead in the body can cause harm.  The CDC only recommends Chelation Therapy for blood lead levels greater than 45 µg/dL. Chelation Therapy is the term used to describe the process in which drugs are administered that will bind to heavy metals such as lead and assist the body in excreting the metals out of the body either through urine or bile. There is controversy over the use of chelation therapy as it has been suggested that it may remobilize lead that has been stored in the body (outside of the blood).
Lead poisoning has been associated with:

• Reduced Intelligence / Learning Disabilities
• Shortened Memory
• Slowed Reaction Times
• Poor Hand-Eye Coordination
• Antisocial Behavior
• Decreased Growth
• Hyperactivity
• Impaired Hearing

The cost to society includes not only medical treatment and special education, but also higher rates of high school dropouts with low earning potential, and subsequent increased criminal activity.

Lead in Our Environment

Lead Paint:

Older homes such as those built before 1978 may contain Lead-Based Paint. As the paint wears, it can chip or peel off of the wall. With normal wear the paint on windows and doors can easily rub off from constant use. If the paint on these surfaces contains lead, the flaking or friction may create a lead dust you may not be able to see. It is important to clean these surfaces often with a wet cloth in order to remove any potential lead dust hazard.

Water:

Older plumbing, solder or fixtures may have been made with lead. This may cause the lead to leach out of these materials and into your water. Let your tap run for about 5 minutes before using it. Only cook with or drink cold water from your tap. It is easier for lead to leach out of these materials when warm water is flowing through the pipes. Therefore use cold water whenever possible.

Food:

Food could have been contaminated if it was grown in lead contaminated soil. Food can be contaminated if it is stored in ceramics, cans or other containers containing lead. Many ceramics that are made in foreign countries may contain lead. If you suspect or even if you are not sure, DO NOT use those containers to serve food. Use glass or plastic containers instead.

Soil:

Gasoline contained lead until the mid 1980’s. Soil near highways may still be contaminated with lead from before leaded gasoline was phased out. Soil may have been contaminated from lead paint from buildings, insecticides or pollution from highways.

Lead Exposure

The most common way for lead to enter the body is through the mouth. This is especially common in children because they tend to put their hands in their mouths often. They may chew on window sills or paint chips found on the floor.

Pregnant women could pass lead in their blood to their unborn children through the placenta.

What to do if you suspect there might be lead in your home

Have your home tested for lead.

You may call us, Lead Safe DC, at 202-994-5188. We can come to your home and provide you with a FREE lead test. Please note however this test is only used as a preliminary test for the presence of lead. We are not risk assessors but we can help you and your family to get the help you may need if you have lead in your home.
If you find you DO have lead in your home DO NOT attempt to remove it yourself. Please see the section on Lead abatement for more information regarding abatement practices and licensed abatement contractors.

You may contact may call the DC Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control at 202-708-1112.

For more information regarding Lead in your home you may also call the National Lead Information Center at: 1-800-424-LEAD

How To Reduce Lead in Your Environment

• DO NOT REMOVE LEAD PAINT yourself. Call the DC Department of Health for Lead abatement contractor.
• Clean with wet cloth when dusting and Wet MOP when mopping the floor.
• Be sure to clean children’s play areas often.
• Wash children’s hands before and after eating, playing and napping.