Lead Paint

Lead paint was used in many homes built before the 1980s. It is a highly toxic metal that was used in paint, gasoline, and even drinking water. As of 1978, more than 13 million children had elevated blood lead levels, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As of 2002, fewer than 310,000 children suffered from elevated blood lead levels.

Elevated blood lead levels can lead to behavioral problems, learning disabilities, and death. The most likely places children are exposed to lead today include from lead paint that still remains in older homes and is chipping off walls, lead dust, and even lead contaminated soil. Recently, children were also exposed to lead in toys and other products that were made in China.

Parents can take precautions by keeping homes dust-free, removing any chipping paint, stopping children from putting dirt in their mouths, and getting their children’s blood levels checked regularly. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has evaluated lead test kits and found them unreliable when evaluating consumer products, but research shows they are reliable when evaluating whether paint is lead-based. The EPA calls these tests “overly sensitive,” and is currently developing new tests.

The government has taken many precautions to protect children as well. Lead gasoline is no longer available, informative pamphlets and a release statement must be read and signed before residents can move into a house that contains lead, and the EPA issued a final rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act that requires manufacturers of children’s products to submit studies about the lead content of their products.

The EPA also sponsors Lead Grant Programs that help communities at risk get the funds they need to clean up lead in their homes, schools, and communities. Read more at www.epa.gov.

One of the most recent U.S. toy recalls involves Fisher-Price, which recalled Sesame Street, Dora the Explorer, and other children’s products. The products, like others that have been recalled recently, were made in China. To find out which products pose a danger to your children, visit the CPSC at www.cpsc.gov.

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Lead Paint Lead paint was used in many homes built before the 1980s. It is a highly toxic metal that was used in paint, gasoline, and even drinking water. As of 1978, more than 13 million children had elevated blood lead levels, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As of 2002, fewer than 310,000 children suffered from elevated blood lead levels. Elevated blood lead levels can lead to behavioral problems, learning disabilities, and death. The most likely places children are exposed to lead today include from lead paint that still remains in older homes and is chipping off walls, lead dust, and even lead contaminated soil. Recently, children were also exposed to lead in toys and other products that were made in China. Parents can take precautions by keeping homes dust-free, removing any chipping paint, stopping children from putting dirt in their mouths, and getting their children’s blood levels checked regularly. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has evaluated lead test kits and found them unreliable when evaluating consumer products, but research shows they are reliable when evaluating whether paint is lead-based. The EPA calls these tests “overly sensitive,” and is currently developing new tests. The government has taken many precautions to protect children as well. Lead gasoline is no longer available, informative pamphlets and a release statement must be read and signed before residents can move into a house that contains lead, and the EPA issued a final rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act that requires manufacturers of children’s products to submit studies about the lead content of their products. The EPA also sponsors Lead Grant Programs that help communities at risk get the funds they need to clean up lead in their homes, schools, and communities. Read more at www.epa.gov. One of the most recent U.S. toy recalls involves Fisher-Price, which recalled Sesame Street, Dora the Explorer, and other children’s products. The products, like others that have been recalled recently, were made in China. To find out which products pose a danger to your children, visit the CPSC at www.cpsc.gov.