limit their ability to learn and their physical
development. It is found in a variety of locations and
products, such as old house paint, contaminated soil,
ceramic bowls and plates, and hobby supplies. The big-
gest source of lead exposure for children is from old
chipping house paint.
A new study has found that there is also
lead in some house and car keys
Many parents give keys to their children to occupy them
while the parents are busy shopping or doing chores.
Children then put the keys, or their hands, in their
mouths, and the lead can get in their bodies. Because
children often put their hands in their
mouths, they can be exposed to lead
many times.
Children who have been lead poi-
soned do not always look or act sick. The
only way to know if your child has lead
poisoning is to have your health care
provider do a blood test. Parents and
caregivers of children 6 months to 6
years of age should request informa-
tion about lead poisoning at health
care visits and a blood test if appropriate. All children
in publicly supported programs like WIC, Medi-Cal and
Healthy Families should have a blood test at 12 and 24
months of age. Other children who live or spend time
in housing built before 1978 that has chipping paint or
has been recently remodeled should also be tested. Call
your health care provider or the lead poisoning preven-
tion program of your local Health Department to find
out about assessment and testing.
Recommendations to prevent
lead poisoning: Because exposure happens when children put their
hands in or near their mouths, not through the skin,
encourage children to wash their hands frequently,
especially before eating and napping. Keep your home as clean and free from dust as pos-
sible. Regular mopping with detergent will clean
up dust and soil that may have lead in it. Test painted surfaces for lead before remodeling.
Never burn or scrape paint unless
you are sure it does not contain lead. Cover over or repair areas of wall
that have chipping paint. Change out of work clothes and shower before com-
ing home if you work in jobs that expose you to
lead, such as radiator or battery repair, using sol-
der, or doing home remodeling. Do not use older imported or handmade dishes
unless you know they do not contain lead. Avoid hobbies such as making stained glass, sol-
dering or making fishing sinkers that use lead in
and around where children will be. Do not use home remedies or cosmetics that con-
tain lead like Azarcon, Gretta, Pay-loo-ah, and
Alkohl or Kohl.
Keep your child safe from lead in keys Never allow a child to play with car or house keys.
Bring play keys or another toy along on trips. Pregnant women should minimize their exposure
by washing their hands after handling keys.
Protect your child from lead
poisoning. For more
information, call
the Child Care Healthline
at (800) 333-3212
by Christine Arnesen, RN, MPH