TENNESSEE CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING PREVENTION PROGRAM

***Lead Poisoning Awareness Video***

Sullivan County Regional Health Department partners with the Tennessee Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program to provide lead education, counseling, and the assessment and screening of prenatal patients and children age six months to six years. Routine testing of children at ages one and two is recommended. Testing of prenatal patients with risk factors and testing of children up to age six, who have a risk factor and  no previous testing, is also encouraged.

Effects of Lead Poisoning
Symptoms of Lead Poisoning
Sources of Lead Poisoning
Steps to Reduce Lead Poisoning 

Lead poisoning is caused by swallowing or inhaling lead. Lead is the greatest environmental threat to young children today.

Children six months to six years of age are at the greatest risk for lead poisoning because of:

• Their hand to mouth activity
• They absorb lead at a higher rate
• Their growing bodies are more susceptible to the damaging effects of lead.

Pregnant women are at risk for lead poisoning. Lead poisoning in unborn children can cause:

• Premature birth
• Low birth weight
• Birth defects
• Miscarriages
• Stillbirth

• Decreased growth
• Hearing problems
• Behavior problems
• Learning difficulties
• Nerve or brain damage
• Convulsions
• Coma
• Death

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• Stomach pains
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Frequent vomiting
• Constipation
• Headache
• Sleep disorders
• Poor appetites

Children often show no symptoms of lead poisoning. Because the symptoms are not always obvious, it is important to get your child tested either through their local health department or private physician. Appointments may be made at Sullivan County Regional Health Department by calling 423-279-2777 Monday through Friday from 8am-5pm.

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• Lead paint that is chipping or cracking
• Lead industry
• Lead contaminated soil
• Lead pipes or copper pipes with lead solder
• Lead crystal
• Lead glazed pottery or ceramics
• Antique pewter
• Folk remedies
• Fishing sinkers
• Bullet casings
• Solder used in the making of stained glass
• Imported vinyl mini blinds purchased prior to 1996

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• Be alert for chipping, flaking, or peeling paint and if present:
  • Create a barrier between paint and child
  • Clean floors, window sills,  frames, and any other hard surface with a high phosphate detergent at least weekly
  • Thoroughly rinse sponges and mop heads using a separate bucket of water for each
  • If abatement is needed, hire a certified lead–based paint professional to remove the paint
• Replace any imported mini blinds purchased prior to 1996
• Never store food in open cans, glazed pottery, ceramics or lead crystal
• Wash your hands before preparing meals
• Wash your child’s hands prior to eating and bedtime
• Wash your child’s toys, stuffed animals and pacifiers often
• Don’t allow your child to eat snow or icicles
• Don’t allow child to chew on painted surfaces
• Check with the Consumer Product Safety Commission about products that are recalled due to lead
• Dietary steps used to reduce lead hazards:
  • Offer a child 4-6 snacks or meals/ day because a full stomach will absorb less lead
  • A child who is provided a diet adequate in iron, calcium,  vitamin C. and protein will absorb less lead
  • Foods high in iron and protein are lean red meats, chicken, liver, fish, dried beans, leafy green vegetables, fortified cereals and breads, peanuts, dried fruits(raisins, prunes, and apricots), and eggs.
  • Foods high in vitamin C are citrus fruits and juices, bell peppers, tomatoes, raw cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, strawberries, watermelon, and cantaloupe
  • Foods high in calcium are milk, cheese, ice milk, pudding, and yogurt

Steps to reduce the amount of lead brought into your home from work or hobby sites:

• Shower, paying close attention to fingernails, hair, mustaches and beards, and change clothing and shoes prior to leaving the work place
• Change shoes again prior to entering the car. The soiled shoes should be kept in a container with a lid in the trunk of the car.
• Shaving mustaches and beards aid in the proper seal of a respirator mask
• Soiled underwear and socks should be kept and laundered separately from family members clothing
• Bringing soiled socks and underwear home weekly instead of daily will reduce the amount of lead exposure
• Wash soiled socks and underwear in a high phosphate detergent (electric dishwasher detergent), using ¼ cup per load
• Run rinse cycle on washing machine after clothing has been removed
• Use disposable lunch bags, alleviating the possibility of bringing lead dust home on a lunch box
• Follow all occupational safety guidelines including notifying supervisor of pregnancy immediately
• Prevent children from visiting work or hobby sites
• Separate hobby areas from living areas
• Properly dispose of toxic substances

Steps to reduce lead hazards if the soil is contaminated:

• Don’t allow child to eat things that fall on the ground
• Cover bare soil with grass, mulch or shrubs
• Provide sandbox so child can play
• Wash thoroughly foods that have been grown in lead contaminated soil
• Change shoes prior to going into the house
• Wash child’s face, hands and toys after playing outside

Steps to reduce lead hazards if lead contaminated water is suspected:

• Do not drink, cook, or make baby formula from hot tap water
• Run cold water for one to two minutes before drinking or using
• If lead contamination is confirmed in the water, use only bottled water for drinking, cooking, or making formula

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Links

CDC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/lead.htm

 Cindy Mottern Cantly, Program Coordinator

(423) 279-2859   cmottern@sullivanhealth.org