• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Covid Resource Center
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV
Home / Lifestyle / Parenting / Over Half of American Children Have Detectable Lead Levels in Their Blood

Over Half of American Children Have Detectable Lead Levels in Their Blood

lead exposure

More than 50% of American children have detectable blood lead levels, a new study reveals. And young children who live in places with lots of pre-1950s housing and low incomes have the greatest risk. In all, 58% of children from predominately Black neighborhoods had detectable lead levels in their blood, compared with 49% of kids in white neighborhoods.

Any detectable lead level is abnormal and potentially harmful, particularly in young children, the researchers point out. A neurotoxin, lead has been associated with brain and nervous system damage, as well as learning, behavior, speech and hearing problems. Lead exposure can also cause kidney damage.

Children under the age of three are most at risk as they tend to crawl around more and put things in their mouths.

“This means limiting exposure and testing” young children’s blood for lead “and having them retested periodically if results indicate a potentially unsafe level,” Dr. Jeffrey Gudin, senior medical advisor at Quest Diagnostics says.

You May Also Like
15 Natural Remedies for Aches and Pains

Lead exposure isn’t always apparent, which is why testing is so critical.

READ: Even a Little Lead in Drinking Water Can Harm People With Kidney Disease

Causes of lead exposure

Although lead exposure may not always be apparent, it helps to know the common causes to look out for.

Children can be exposed to lead through the following:

You May Also Like
Bacon and other meats May Increase Your Risk for This Lung Disease
  • Prenatal exposure. If you are pregnant and have been exposed to lead or have had high levels of lead in your blood in the past, the lead that is stored in the bones and can be released and increased during pregnancy and passed to your child.
  • Soil and water. Children can be exposed to lead in soil by touching, breathing, eating fruits and vegetables grown in or near lead-contaminated soil or playing in lead-contaminated soil.
  • Lead paint. Although the use of lead-based paints for homes, children’s toys and household furniture has been banned in the United States since 1978, lead-based paint can still be found on walls and woodwork in many older homes and apartments, which can result in children eating lead-based paint chips. Lead can also be found in glazes found on ceramics, china and porcelain, which leaches into food and toys and other products produced abroad.
  • Children’s products.  A child can also absorb lead found in children’s jewelry or products made of vinyl or plastic, such as bibs, backpacks, car seats and lunch boxes by putting them in their mouths, chewing on them or inhaling lead if the product is burned, damaged or deteriorating.
  • Household dust. Household dust can contain lead from paint chips or soil brought in from the outside.
  • Food. Food can be contaminated with lead during production, processing, packaging, preparation or storage. Some food containers and pots contain lead, such as lead-glazed pottery, leaded crystal glassware and canned foods.
  • Home health remedies and certain cosmetics. Some traditional remedies, such as the indigestion treatments azarcon and greta, may contain lead. Also, women who wear makeup should be aware of some of the paints and pigments used in makeup and hair dye. They may contain lead.
  • Artificial athletic fields. Artificial turf made of nylon or a nylon and polyethylene blend may contain unhealthy levels of lead dust, which could be inhaled or ingested by a child.

Protecting your child from lead exposure

Protecting your child from lead exposure may be a challenging task, especially when they are younger. Additionally, it may be hard to

Continue Reading

The Latest In Parenting

parenting

3 Tips That Will Make You a More Mindful Parent

Parenting is hard and there is no handbook. Yet, growing research is showing that the old ways of parenting are not as effective and more likely to be harmful to our children over time.  A pediatrics study showed that spanking read more about 3 Tips That Will Make You a More Mindful Parent
transgender

Most Transgender Children Stick With Gender Identity 5 Years Later

Kids who feel their true gender identity doesn't match the sex they were given at birth are sometimes given the chance to adopt the lifestyle and characteristics of the opposite gender, in a process known as "social transitioning." It involves read more about Most Transgender Children Stick With Gender Identity 5 Years Later
picky eaters

Over Half of American Parents Give Their Picky Eaters Supplements

If your child is a picky eater and you feel you need to give them dietary supplements, you're not alone. In a new poll of more than 1,200 U.S. parents with at least one child aged 1 to 10, more read more about Over Half of American Parents Give Their Picky Eaters Supplements
football

Half of Americans Now Think Playing Football is ‘Inappropriate’ for Kids

As sign-ups for youth football get underway this spring, a new study reveals that Americans may love their football, but half now believe that kids should not play the tackle version of the game. The researchers found that of nearly read more about Half of Americans Now Think Playing Football is ‘Inappropriate’ for Kids
windows

Windows And Young Kids: The Hidden Hazard Inside Your Home

As the weather gets warmer, and families open their windows, they could unknowingly put young children at risk. Windows are listed as one of the top five hidden home hazards by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and an open read more about Windows And Young Kids: The Hidden Hazard Inside Your Home
psoriatic arthritis

9 Common Nail Problems That Could Be Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that develops in people who have psoriasis. PsA is an inflammatory condition that causes joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Most people develop psoriasis symptoms on their skin before they develop signs of PsA, read more about 9 Common Nail Problems That Could Be Psoriatic Arthritis

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

  • The McGhee Sextuplets: A Family Built On LoveThe McGhee Sextuplets: A Family Built On Love
  • Top 3 Mistakes Cooking Salmon (You Should Never Make Again)Top 3 Mistakes Cooking Salmon (You Should Never Make Again)
  • Reality Star Hospitalized After Major Car Accident: “Unresponsive, But Stable”Reality Star Hospitalized After Major Car Accident: "Unresponsive, But Stable"
  • Aleisha Allen: From Actress to Speech PathologistAleisha Allen: From Actress to Speech Pathologist
  • Black Don’t Crack: Mother Of 3 Photo Goes ViralBlack Don't Crack: Mother Of 3 Photo Goes Viral

Podcast

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2022, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.