what is lead poisoning
who's at risk ?
acute or chronic poisoning due to the absorption of lead into the body.
Lead poisoning occurs when lead builds up in the body, often over a period of months or years. Even small amounts of lead can cause serious health problems. Children under the age of 6 are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning, which can severely affect mental and physical development. At very high levels, lead poisoning can be fatal.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF LEAD POISONING ?
- Developmental delay
- Learning difficulties
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Sluggishness and fatigue
- Declines in mental functioning
- Pain, numbness or tingling of the extremities
- Headache
- Memory loss
- Mood disorders
- Reduced sperm count, abnormal sperm
- Miscarriage or premature birth in pregnant women
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Hearing loss
- Learning difficulties
- Slowed growth
- High blood pressure
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Joint pains
- Muscle pain
prevention
- Wash hands and toys. To help reduce hand-to-mouth transfer of contaminated dust or soil, wash your children's hands after outdoor play, before eating and at bedtime. And wash their toys regularly.
- Clean dusty surfaces. Clean your floors with a wet mop and wipe furniture, windowsills and other dusty surfaces with a damp cloth.
- Run cold water. If you have older plumbing containing lead pipes or fittings, run your cold water for at least a minute before using. Don't use hot tap water to make baby formula or for cooking.
- Prevent children from playing on soil. Provide them with a sandbox that's covered when not in use. Plant grass or cover bare soil with mulch.
- Eat a healthy diet. Regular meals and good nutrition may help lower lead absorption. Children especially need enough calcium and iron in their diets.
Home renovation
If you're doing minor remodeling or touch-up work in an older house with lead-based paint, take precautions.
- Don't attempt to remove the lead paint by sanding.Sanding surfaces painted with lead is hazardous because it generates large amounts of small particles.
- Don't use an open-flame torch to remove paint. The flame produces lead particles small enough to inhale.
- Cover old paint. Removing old lead paint may not always be possible. If the paint is on tight, without many chips, you can paint over it. You can also use paneling, drywall or encapsulation, which is similar to a very thick coat of paint.
- Wear protective equipment and clothing. Change your clothes, take a shower and wash your hair before leaving the job. Don't shake out work clothes or wash them with other clothes.
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