High
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PR & Media Relations in Spanish - Website positioning
THE PROBLEMS AND DANGERS OF LEAD
Lead
has long been recognized as a harmful environmental pollutant. There
are many ways in which humans are exposed to lead and most of the time
we may not even be aware of it. Airborne lead enters the body when
an individual breathes in lead particles or swallows some lead dust.
Until recently, the most important airborne source of lead was automobile
exhaust. Since 1975, there has been a 95 percent reduction in the
use of lead in gasoline due to the Environmental Protection Agency's Phasedown
Program and the replacement of older cars with newer cars that require
the use of unleaded gasoline. Seeking out sources of lead in
the household and surrounding areas can be crucial in safeguarding your
family members, especially children and pets. It has now been determined
that the effects from lead paint, household dust, lead crystal and some
imported pottery.
Children
are considered to be at the greatest risk of exposure because they have
such intimate contact with the environment. Their faster metabolism
causes them to eat more for their body weight and to breathe faster.
Children
also tend to play and breathe closer to the ground where lead dust concentrates.
They are also likely to put their hands in their mouths, which can bring
lead just directly into their bodies.
Parents
can take several steps to help protect their children from the effects
of lead within the home environment. Cover peeling or exposed paint
with wood paneling or vinyl wallpaper. Stripping off the paint will
release more lead into the environment, and a new coat of paint can itself
peel, re-exposing the paint beneath it.
Also,
lead and lead salts are toxic to pets. Pets are naturally curious
and are prone to claw, scratch and pick at peeling materials. To
minimize the risk to your pet, watch what they pick up in their mouths!
These toxic lead salts can be found in such common things as insecticides
and linoleum.
Be
careful when doing any kind of remodeling such as removing old paint, replacing
linoleum on floors, counters, etc. Keep pets and children away from
work sites and building materials. Properly dispose of any leaded
materials and remove them promptly from the premises. Know the possible
signs of lead poisoning, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, lack of appetite,
irritability, listlessness, hysteria or convulsions. When a pet shows
gastrointestinal as well as neurological symptoms, lead poisoning could
be the culprit and you should contact the vet as soon as possible.
Many
water mains are still made of lead, so household water should be tested
for lead content. If lead is present in the water, allow it to run
for a few minutes before using it. Use cold or bottled water to prepare
foods or infant's formula because hot water tends to leech more lead.
Iron deficiency anemia is a common problem among one and two year olds
that predisposes them to eating nonfood substances and causes them to absorb
more of the lead taken into their bodies.
If lead exposure is suspected, consult your health department about appropriate removal and clean-up procedures. Also, people who may have been exposed to lead or lead dust recently should have the lead levels in their blood tested by their doctor or local health department.
