As a parent, you may have been asked, “Does your child live in, or spend a lot of time in, a place built before 1978 that has peeling or chipped paint or that has been recently remodeled?”
That is the standard question pediatricians across the country ask families to screen children for increased risk of lead poisoning.
We ask that question too here in Orange County since many of our houses were built before 1978 and do have lead in the paint, which can then get into the dust (and soil too) that our children play in and may get in their mouths. But many of the children in Orange County with elevated lead levels actually have been exposed to other objects such as imported pottery, utensils, food, drink, or spices, cosmetics or ceremonial items, or things brought home from a family member’s work.
It is important to know what these potential sources are in and around your home so you can prevent exposure to your children.
There is no safe level of lead.
Many children who are at risk have not been tested for lead. Exposure to lead can cause delayed growth and development, learning and behavior challenges, and hearing and speech problems; these effects can be lifelong. Children under six years of age are most vulnerable because their brain is still developing; prevention of lead exposure to pregnant and breastfeeding people is also important for this same reason.
The only way to know if your child has lead poisoning is by getting a blood test.
Most children who have lead poisoning do not look or act sick. If you have concerns about lead exposure, ask your doctor for a lead test.
Lead poisoning is preventable.
In addition to being aware of what items might have lead and keeping them away from children, you can help protect against lead poisoning through a healthy diet. Eating foods rich in vitamin C, calcium, and iron can help limit the body’s absorption of lead. In addition, young children should eat healthy meals and snacks every 3-4 hours while awake since a full belly absorbs less lead.
In honor of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (October 19 to 25), our theme this year is “Nutrition as Prevention.” Please join me in spreading the word about preventing lead exposure, especially in children, and helping our children be “Well Fed = Less Lead.”
For more information about lead poisoning prevention:
About Dr. Michele Cheung
Dr. Michele Cheung is board certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases and also completed a Preventive Medicine Residency and a master’s degree in public health (MPH). She is the MCAH (Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health) Medical Director for the OC Health Care Agency where she collaborates closely with the community on initiatives to support perinatal, infant, and child health and wellbeing. She has been working in public health, both local and state, in different capacities for the past 25 years. She also cared for children with infectious diseases in the hospital setting until 2024 and regularly teaches pediatricians-in-training about public health and communicable diseases.
