Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention

Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water

Healthy Schools- Drinking Water

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention- Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention

Lead poisoning is considered to be the most serious environmental threat to children’s health.

Approximately 1 out of every 11 children between the ages of 1 and 5 years of age may have harmful levels of lead in their blood. If the problem is not detected early, the child could suffer from:

• decreased growth
• learning problems
• impaired hearing
• behavior problems (such as hyperactivity)
• nerve and/or brain damage

Children are more susceptible to the effects of lead, because:

• children’s growing bodies absorb more lead
• children’s brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead
• children often put their hands and other objects in their mouths

Most children do not have any symptoms even if a blood test shows that they have an elevated blood lead level. If your child does have symptoms, they may be mistaken for the flu or other illnesses. If symptoms occur, they might be:

• stomach ache and cramps
• irritability
• fatigue
• frequent vomiting
• constipation
• headache
• sleep disorders
• poor appetite

Have your child tested and learn the ways to protect your family from lead.

Childhood lead poisoning is preventable.