Madison Co. reminds residents to protect children from lead

Officials urge people to make sure your child gets tested for lead at age one and two years old.

Officials in Madison County are reminding residents to protect children from lead poisoning.

Lead is a toxin found in our environment, and it does not belong in our blood. There is no safe level of lead exposure for children. National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, Oct. 20-26, is a time to high light what happens when a child is lead poisoned and how to prevent it.

Officials urge people to make sure your child gets tested for lead at age one and two years old. A blood test is the only way to tell if a child has lead poisoning.

If a child’s blood lead level is elevated (at 5 mcg/ dL or higher), the county’s Lead Program nurse will follow up with the parents to talk about how to bring the child’s lead level down. This includes offering a home visit to helpwith identifying sources of lead and provide recommendations for reducing the child’s exposure.

The lead blood test is only a snapshot in time, and it is very important for doctors to capture that snapshot at age one and two. Officials noted how only a tiny amount of lead is needed to harm a young, growing child. While anyone can become leadpoisoned, children are especially at risk because their bodies absorb lead much more easily than adults.

The most common cause of lead poisoning is leadbased paint dust from older window frames, doors and trim, or walls. Lead paint was used in homes built before 1978 before anyone knew just how dangerous it was. A law was then passed to remove lead from household paint. Lead dust can also settle on the child’s toys orget on his hands, which he may put in his mouth.

Officials said most children with lead poisoning do not look or act sick, so it is important to screen children who are six months to six years old for lead. Screening should be done at all checkups, or at least annually.

For more information on protecting children from lead poisoning, visit www. healthymadisoncounty.org.