by Kim Brockman

Created on: September 07, 2010

Paint containing lead is poison to the human body, especially to children.  It can lead to anemia, poor muscle coordination, vomiting, convulsions, brain damage, pregnancy problems, high blood pressure, or death in adults.  Men may find a reduced sperm count.  Children are even more susceptible to its harmful effects, as their very growth and constant changes attracts the poisonous lead.  Lead paint was officially banned in the United States in 1978. 

Children exposed to lead paint on a regular basis may start to show signs of impaired mental function.  This will continue to expand to possibly irreversible brain damage.  It slows both physical and mental development of the child, and attention deficiencies are often noticed.  In pregnant women exposed to even small amounts of poisonous lead, fetal development is slowed noticeably.

Where Can Exposure Occur?

Lead used to be commonly found in house paint and other types of paint before the ban.  Unfortunately, it’s still a problem, especially in older homes built before 1978.  Lead paint was used in both indoor and outdoor paints.  Traces of toxic lead from paint can often be found in the soil around a home where the paint has flaked off over the years into lead dust. 

Another common place for lead paint dust to be found is in old window sills and frames where it has flaked with the movement of the window and age.  In fact, any heavy traffic area should be subject to concern; doorways and stair railings might be putting your family at risk as well.

Lead paint was sometimes used for toys.  Parents should look up old recall notices on all toys made or suspected to have been made before 1978.  Teething toddlers often chew on their toys, something that could be fatal if painted with lead paint.

What Can Be Done for Lead Poisoning?

First, if you suspect you might have lead paint in or around your house where your children have been playing, have them screened for lead poisoning right away.  Many neighborhoods filled with older and deteriorating houses have screening programs available to local residents for regular checks.  The early symptoms of lead poisoning can be confused with a variety of more common illnesses, so it’s very likely it won’t be diagnosed quickly enough unless specifically screened for.  If a child isn’t treated early enough, long-term or permanent damage may result.

Secondly, have the

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