By: Elise Jones, babybites blog editor
For most of us in the NYC-area, a visit to the doctor for our child’s one-year well visit usually results in a request to get your child’s blood tested for lead. For those parents who have been through the test with your children, you know it can be quite a daunting task. Restraining your child is not fun, especially if you have a strong-willed child (raising both hands over here). So why must we do it and where does it come from?
Here are the details:
Lead Poison Effects:
Being exposed to lead, can cause many healthy problems for adults and children alike. Since children are much smaller and more sensitive to environmental factors, they are particularly susceptible to the life-long effects of lead poisoning. The most common lead poisoning comes from someone being exposed to small amounts over a long period of time. Lead poisoning can lead to the follow issues (even if a child is exposed to small amounts):
– damage to the kidneys, central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), and reproductive system.
– cause high blood pressure.
– harm a child’s developing brain.
*source WebMD
Where Lead Poisoning Comes From:
Lead can be found in the following places
– lead-based paint
– lead-contaminated dust
* Lead most commonly occurs in the environment as a result of improper repair or renovation of pre-1978 homes.*source:Â EPA
Lead poisoning is very preventable and can be accomplished by doing the following:
• Get your home tested. Have your home inspected if you live in a home built before 1978.
• Get your child tested.
• Get the facts. Visit epa.gov, WebMD.com, leadfreekids.orgor contact your pediatrician.So test your home, do your research and talk to your doctor. This week is Lead Prevention Week. Over 1 million children are affected by lead poisoning yet it is so preventable.
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