Frequently Asked Questions
About Lead Poisoning

WHY IS LEAD A PROBLEM?

Lead is a heavy metal that is a neurotoxin, which means that it can harm the brain. It also harms bones and internal organs. Children with lead poisoning can experience delayed development and behavioral problems. Lead poisoning usually occurs through ingestion, which means that the lead is unintentionally swallowed.

WHO'S MOST AT RISK FOR LEAD POISONING?

Children ages six and under are the most at risk. They often play close to the floor and put things in their mouths. These natural behaviors make them more likely to be exposed if there are lead hazards around them. If lead is ingested, a young child's body tends to absorb lead into the blood more readily than an adult's body. Children who have diets that are low in iron and calcium tend to absorb more lead, so good nutrition is one vital element of lead poisoning prevention. Older homes, built before 1978, with peeling paint, pose the most risk for young children.

Lead poisoning can interfere with critical stages in a young child's development. It can affect the development of a child's brain, bones, and internal organs. Children with lead poisoning can have learning disabilities, growth delays, behavior problems, and other developmental delays.

DOES LEAD POISONING HAVE SYMPTOMS?

Children with lead poisoning often have no symptoms. The only way to tell is to have your child tested. A child can be poisoned and show no outward signs. When there are symptoms, they can include diarrhea, stomach cramps, lethargy, vomiting, or seizures in some severe cases.

HOW CAN I HAVE MY CHILD TESTED?

Ask your doctor or health care provider to test your child. Lead is absorbed by the body primarily in blood. Detection of an elevated blood lead level is by administering a simple blood test. Your physician can order this test. Call our information line if you would like to discuss what the blood lead level results mean or need help getting your child tested.

Children six and under should be tested. Children ages one to three are at the greatest risk. Very young children spend the most time on the floor and are the most likely to put objects or their hands into their mouths. Young children who live in older homes are at a higher risk, because there's a greater likelihood there will be lead-based paint hazards in or around their home.

CAN ADULTS GET LEAD POISONING?

Most adults are not at risk, unless they work with lead in some capacity. Adults with lead poisoning can suffer from damage to the nervous system, reproductive system, digestive system, and kidneys.

If you have questions about occupational lead exposure, make sure to call the California Occupational Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at (510) 622-4300 for more information.

Some of the types of work that might expose an adult to lead would include working in the construction industry, doing painting and carpentry, working on automobiles (especially in radiator shops), working in a foundry or in metal casting, or working in plating operations. These are just a few examples of occupations which might expose workers to lead.

Adults who work with or around lead can unknowingly bring lead dust home on their work clothes and shoes. This can cause their children to be exposed to lead.

Doing renovations in homes built before 1978 can also produce lead dust hazards, if the work isn't done in a lead-safe manner. These hazards can affect the adults doing the renovations or young children who live in and visit a home where renovations are or have taken place.

HOW CAN I FIND AND REDUCE LEAD HAZARDS AT MY PROPERTY?

If you own a residential property built before 1978 in Alameda, Berkeley, Emeryville or Oakland, you may be eligible for free property owner services including a site evaluation with lead testing and a professional consultation.

If you plan to conduct work on your property yourself, read about reducing lead hazards and take a class!

If you want to hire a lab, consultant or contractor to identify lead hazards or to conduct lead safe work at your property, see our Directory of Lead Hazard Reduction Services in the Bay Area.

Call the ACLPPP Public Information Line at 510-567-8280 for more information.

T h a n k s f o r g e t t i n g i n f o r m e d !

Please call our Information Line at
1-800-B-Lead-Safe
for more information on any of these topics.

2000 Embarcadero, Suite 300, Oakland CA 94606
Phone: (510) 567-8280 Fax: (510) 567-8272

Frequently Asked Questions About Lead Poisoning

Frequently Asked Questions
About Lead Poisoning