Families are finding out that lead poisoning is occurring
everywhere (MI, NJ, etc.), not just in paint chips, and not just in urban areas
as is commonly believed. Most recently
lead was found in the water fountains in suburban schools as well and all
school water in NJ is being tested. And
it’s not just in the water!
Where Lead Can be
Found & How it Hurts Kids
 |
It is also known that lead can be found in soil, pesticides,
water, paint, and dust[i]. Even small amounts of lead can be harmful,
especially for young children who are still growing, and can also build up over
time.
Lead has been reported to cause learning and developmental disabilities,
decreased growth, hyperactivity, impaired hearing and brain damage[ii]. While lead can cause disabilities and
developmental delays, children who already have disabilities may be at even
greater risk of ingesting lead. For example,
a child with an intellectual/ cognitive disability may be more likely to put
things in their mouths at even older ages than would a child without such a
disability.
Prevention is Key
Parents should ask their child’s pediatrician if they have
been screened for lead through a simple blood test. Only 10% of children under age 3 have been
tested nationally which means there are approximately almost a million children
affected but untreated[i].
The Nebraska Department of Health has an
excellent factsheet for families on lead including dust, soil, water, products
such as toys and jewelry etc. (see Resources.)
What if My Child has
Lead Poisoning?
Family caregivers should find out what the next steps are
from their child’s pediatrician. A
level of 10 micrograms per deciliter or more is considered unsafe and would
require intervention. Also, there are
other resources for parents dealing with lead poisoning which have steps to
take.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a
factsheet especially for families.
Information is also available from the National Lead Information
Center. There is an overview of what
lead poisoning is, how to test, etc., available from the Parent Center Hub.
Parents need to be aware of the dangers of lead, how it
affects their children, and prevention.
By partnering with their child’s health care provider, family caregivers
can reduce the risks that lead could have on their child.
Resources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-information for
parents
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/parents.htm
National Lead Information Center
https://www.epa.gov/lead
Parent Center Hub
Sources of Lead - NE Dept. of Health and Human Services
Remain Hopeful,
Lauren
Special thanks to Maria Docherty for creating a lead
resource for the NJ Parent Training and Information Center (Statewide Parent
Advocacy Network) staff. A version of this article for
professionals recently appeared in NJ Pediatrician magazine of the American
Academy of Pediatrics.
Lauren Agoratus is a parent/advocate who works for the
Statewide Parent Advocacy Network and serves as the NJ Coordinator for Family
Voices (www.spanadvocacy.org), a national network that works to
“keep families at the center of children’s healthcare” at www.familyvoices.org or FB www.facebook.com/pages/Family-Voices-Inc-National/137783182902269. She
also serves as NJ representative supporting caregivers across the lifespan for
the Caregiver Action Network (formerly National Family Caregivers Association)
in a volunteer capacity at http://caregiveraction.org/ or FB www.facebook.com/CaregiverActionNetwork.
