Lead

 Lead is a metal that can be found in many places. For example, lead can be found in older paint, soil, air, and some types of pottery. When lead gets in the body, it can be harmful. This is called ^"Lead Poisoning."

 Lead gets into the body when it is swallowed or breathed.

• People, especially children, can swallow lead dust as they eat, play, and perform other ordinary hand-to-mouth activities.
• People may also breathe in lead dust or fumes while they work on jobs that sand, scrape, burn, brush, blast or otherwise disturb painted surfaces that contain lead paint.
• Additionally, pets may be poisoned by the same types of exposure to lead.

 Once in the body, lead can have significant effects on human health.

If not detected early, children with high levels of lead in their bodies can suffer from:

• Damage to the brain and nervous system
• Behavior and learning problems, such as hyperactivity
• Slowed growth
• Hearing problems
• Headaches

Lead is also harmful to adults. Adults can suffer from:

• Reproductive problems (in both men and women)
• High blood pressure and hypertension
• Nerve disorders
• Memory and concentration problems
• Muscle and joint pain

When someone has lead poisoning he may show no signs of problems or may have anemia, bad stomach pain, headaches, constipation, feel tired and irritable, have little appetite, and have problems sleeping.

Where lead is found

In general, the older your home, the more likely it has lead-based paint.

• Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint. The federal government banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978. Some states stopped its use even earlier.
• In soil around a home. Soil can pick up lead from exterior paint or other sources such as past use of leaded gas in cars.  Children playing in yards can ingest or inhale lead dust.
• Household dust. Dust can pick up lead from deteriorating lead-based paint or from soil tracked into a home.
• Drinking water. Your home might have plumbing with lead or lead solder. You cannot see, smell or taste lead, and boiling your water will not get rid of lead. If you think your plumbing might have lead in it: 
• Use only cold water for drinking and cooking.
• Run water for 15 to 30 seconds before drinking it, especially if you have not used your water for a few hours.

• The job. If you work with lead, you could bring it home on your hands or clothes. Shower and change clothes before coming home. Launder your work clothes separately from the rest of your family's clothes.
• Old painted toys and furniture.
• Food and liquids stored in lead crystal or lead-glazed pottery or porcelain. Food can become contaminated because lead can leach in from these containers.
• Lead smelters or other industries that release lead into the air.
• Hobbies that use lead, such as making pottery or stained glass, or refinishing furniture.
• Folk remedies that contain lead, such as "greta" and "azarcon" used to treat an upset stomach.

How to reduce the Danger of Lead Poisoning

• Have children wash their hands before eating, and after playing outside.
• To prevent your child from eating paint that may contain lead, do not put cribs, playpens, beds, or high chairs next to areas where paint is chipping.
• Feed children regular healthy meals.  Meals should include a variety of foods such as ? fruits and vegetables, milk, cheese, yogurt, meat, chicken, iron-fortified cereals, raisins, and dried fruit.  Children with good diets absorb less lead.
• Do not use low-fired, hand-made ceramic and pottery dishes to cook, serve or store foods.
• Keep your home as clean and free of dust as possible.
• Never sand, burn, or scrape paint unless you know that it does not contain lead.
• Change out of work clothes and take a shower if you work with lead at your job.
• Let the tap water run for 30-60 seconds before drinking it or using it for cooking.  It is not a good idea to drink hot tap water.  Use cold water and heat it.

For more information about lead, visit the Ohio Department of Health and the Environmental Protection Agency websites or call 1-800-424-LEAD (5323).