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Lead Poisoning

Lead Poisoning is the NUMBER ONE environmental disease for children. 1 out of 5 children in Hardin County have been diagnosed as LEAD POISONED. Scientific studies have shown a clear link between lead poisoning and aggressive or violent behavior in teenagers. Children who are lead poisoned often find it difficult to learn and are 7 times more likely to drop out of school. Symptoms are often mistaken for a cold or the flu. Houses built before 1950 are the most likely to contain lead based paint. However lead was an ingredient in paint and used until 1978. Lead enters the body through oral ingestion of inhalation of dust. Lead can be stored in soft tissues such as the liver, kidney, brain, bones, and teeth for 20-40 years. Lead poisoning causes damage to the brain and nervous systems in children even in small doses. Damaged caused by lead poisoning is irreversible and permanent. Lead affects every major body system and can be released from the bones during times of high stress. The only cure is PREVENTION. The only way to know the amount of lead your child has been exposed to is to have them tested for lead.

Lead testing is done during child health clinics, immunization clinics, and WIC clinics.

Symptoms:

  • Learning Disabilities
  • Violent Behavior
  • Lower IQ
  • Seizures/Tremors
  • Slowed Growth
  • Attention Deficit Disorder
  • Irritability
  • Mental Retardation
  • Severe Behavior Problems
  • Headaches
  • Hyperactivity
  • Hearing Loss
  • Speech Delays
  • Hypertension
  • Miscarriage
  • Stillbirths
  • Low Birth Weight
  • Underdeveloped Baby
  • Muscle/Joint Pain
  • Memory Problems
  • Digestive Problems

Sources - 1 square inch of lead based paint contains enough lead to poison 500 children:

  • Lead Based Paint
  • Mini blinds over 4 years of age
  • Old worn bathtubs
  • Water contaminated from pipes that have lead based solder.
  • Soil/Snow
  • Diesel Fuel
  • Old Batteries
  • Votive Candles-metal circle on bottom
  • Imported glazed ceramic dishes & crystal
  • Imported Makeup-Kohl, Surma
  • Mexican Candy (Jarritos) - from wrappers

MICA provides lead screening on children who participate in the WIC program. Screening children for lead regularly between ages 12 months and 5 years is crucial to identify poisoned children and refer those children on for additional services in a timely manner. The sooner a child is identified and connected with services, the less affect the lead may have on the child. Lead poisoning can lead to a decreased IQ for children and behavior and learning problems in school. A really high lead level can even lead to death.

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