Lead poisoning primarily affects children from the ages of 1-5, and during this age range, it is estimated that one in 40 children have unsafe levels of lead in their blood.
Unfortunately, lead poisoning does not always produce symptoms until high levels of lead develop in the body. The good news is that lead is easy to detect and testing is widely available.
What causes lead poisoning?
Lead contamination is most often found in dated paint and pipes, as well as canned goods and other products imported from foreign countries.
Lead based-paint was banned in 1978 -- therefore houses built before that year are potentially contaminated with lead.
A hidden source of lead comes from the cups and dishes we eat from. Antique dishes are more commonly polluted with lead, but not all new dishware is lead-free, either.
Soil can also be contaminated with lead from deposits of substances such as lead-based paint and leaded gasoline.
Why is it important to test for lead poisoning?
Although lead poisoning is harmful to both children and adults, it is especially dangerous to children. An adult is often able to recover from lead poisoning without lasting side effects because their body is fully developed. However, because a child's body and brain is still maturing, they are susceptible to developmental problems from lead. Even slight lead poisoning may lower a child's IQ permanently.
Examples of lead poisoning symptoms in children:
Developmental delay.
Learning difficulties.
Loss of appetite.
Weight loss.
Sluggishness and fatigue.
Abdominal pain.
Vomiting.
Constipation.
Hearing loss.
Seizures.
Symptoms of lead poisoning may develop over the course of several weeks or months. Sometimes, symptoms flare up sporadically.
How can good nutrition help prevent lead poisoning?
Eating nutritious foods plays a part in protecting both children and adults from lead poisoning.
In particular, three key nutrients -- vitamin C, calcium and iron -- are thought to help limit the body's absorption of lead. Some examples of these foods include oranges and broccoli (vitamin C), dairy foods, leafy greens and sardines (calcium), and meats and beans (iron).
How can you test and treat lead poisoning?
A simple blood test can detect lead poisoning.
A healthcare provider will take a small blood sample to determine if there is lead present. There is no safe blood level of lead in the body. However, a level of 5 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL) is used to indicate a possibly unsafe level for children.
The first action in treating lead poisoning includes removing the source of contamination. For children and adults with relatively low lead levels, simply avoiding exposure to lead might be enough to reduce blood lead levels. For more severe cases, a doctor might recommend other treatments.
The most important step in managing lead poisoning is to prevent lead exposure before it occurs.
Natalie Berthold has a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics and is a Nutritionist for the WIC Program at the Cole County Health Department.