What you need to know about lead poisoning

Mayo Clinic News Network (TNS)

The news about elevated levels of lead and copper found in the village of Sebring water-distribution system comes on the heels of the recent news about high lead levels in the Flint, Mich., water supply.

The greatest health threat is possible lead poisoning.

Mayo Clinic experts say young children are at the greatest risk of health problems related to lead exposure, including serious brain and kidney damage.

Lead poisoning happens when the metal builds up in the body, often over time. Even small amounts of lead can cause serious issues. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says about 4 million households have high levels of lead.

“Lead is a toxin to the human body and especially harmful to children due to their developing brain and nervous system,” says Mayo Clinic Children’s Center pediatrician Marcie Billings. “Lead can affect almost any system in the body, but in children can have the most-serious effects on the neurological system including poor concentration, behavioral issues, effect on IQ, effect on academic achievement, developmental delay, and in most severe cases, encephalopathy. The effects of lead are also not reversible.”

She said awareness about lead poisoning is key to prevention.

How can you protect your children and yourself from lead exposure? Follow these tips:

Check your house. Homes built before 1978 are most likely to contain lead. Professional cleaning, proper paint-stabilization techniques and repairs done by a certified contractor can reduce lead exposure. If you buy an older home, have it checked for lead. And if your home does contain lead paint, do not remove it by sanding or using a blowtorch.

Keep children out of potentially contaminated areas. Don’t allow your child near old windows, old porches, dirt next to an old home or areas with chipping or peeling paint, as well as old window putty that is flaking or chipping.

Filter your water. Ion-exchange filters, reverse-osmosis filters and distillation can effectively remove lead from water. If you don’t use a filter and live in an older home, run cold tap water for 15 to 30 seconds before using it.

How do you know if your child has been exposed to lead? The following are possible symptoms of lead poisoning for children:

Developmental delay

Learning difficulties

Irritability

Loss of appetite

Weight loss

Sluggishness and fatigue

Abdominal pain

Vomiting

Constipation

Hearing loss

For adults:

High blood pressure

Abdominal pain

Constipation

Joint and muscle pains

Headache

Memory loss

Mood disorders

A simple blood test can confirm the presence of lead in the body.