Elevated blood lead levels
If you live in a home built before 1978, it could be housing more than just your family.
When house hunting, prospective buyers tend to have a long list of what they are looking for in a dream home. They want a certain number of bedrooms and bathrooms, have a neighborhood or location in mind, and may even be looking for a particular style. Whether the home has dangerous levels of lead paint probably isn’t on the list of top priorities; but it should be.
Many don’t realize that the older the home, the more likely windows, cupboards, doors, porches, and outdoor surfaces contain lead-based paint. Lead dust can come from many different sources, such as repairing areas with lead paint, opening and closing windows, and through normal wear and tear of painted areas. Lead can also come from other sources, such as older plumbing fixtures, hobbies, occupations, environmental sources, and nearby industries. Once airborne, lead dust settles to the floor and gets on children’s hands and toys. It then enters their bodies when they put their hands or toys into their mouths.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 4 million U.S. households currently contain lead paint, and nearly half a million children ages 1-5 living in the United States have elevated blood lead levels that may cause significant damage to their health.
Lead exposure can affect nearly every system in the body. And because it often occurs with no obvious symptoms, it frequently goes unrecognized. A lead-poisoned child may seem healthy, but they could also have any of the following signs:
· Learning and behavior problems
· Headaches
· Weight loss
· Irritability
· Tiredness
· Hearing problems
· Hyperactivity
It’s important for people to be aware of the health hazards associated with lead based paint so they can take steps to eliminate those hazards if present in their home
So what can you do to reduce your child’s exposure to lead?
· Before you buy an older home, ask for a lead inspection.
· Get your child tested, even if your young child seems healthy.
· Get the facts! Visit www.michigan.gov/MDCH for more information.
Ask your family doctor or pediatrician to do a lead blood test on your child at 12 months and 24 months of age, or before starting school if they were never tested. Medicaid will pay for the cost of the test if your child is enrolled. If you have private insurance, coverage may vary.
Mid-Michigan District Health Department serves the residents of Clinton, Gratiot and Montcalm Counties.