Over Half of American Children Have Detectable Lead Levels

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.

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:

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

control what you can't always see.

However, there are several steps you can take to minimize your child's risk to lead exposure:

Check your house. If your house was built before 1978, you may be at a higher risk of lead exposure. Having professional cleaning, proper paint stabilization techniques and repairs done by a certified contractor can reduce lead exposure. If you are looking to buy a new home, have it inspected for lead before making any final decisions.
Keep children away from contaminated areas. Keep your child away from areas with chipping or peeling paint as well as old window putty that may be flaking or chipping.

Tip: Try laying sod on areas of bare soil or cover bare spots with grass seed, mulch or wood chips. Clean up chips immediately and cover peeling patches with duct tape or contact paper until the paint can be removed.

Filter water. If your water contains lead, try using ion exchange filters, reverse osmosis filters and distillation to remove lead from water. You can also run cold tap water for 15 to 30 seconds before using it to filter out any particles. When cooking, drinking or making baby formula, use cold tap water. Hot water tends to absorb lead more quickly than does cold water.
Take precautions in the kitchen. Store food in glass, plastic or stainless steel containers instead of cans. If you're not sure if pottery has a lead glaze, use it only for decoration.
Keep your home clean. Wipe floors and other surfaces with a damp mop or sponge.
Encourage good hygiene. Make sure your child washes his or her hands and face after playing outside or with pets and before eating and sleeping. You should also regularly wash children's toys, which may become contaminated from soil or household dust.
Avoid traditional remedies and certain cosmetics. If you're not sure if a traditional remedy or cosmetic contains lead, don't allow your child to use it.
Promote a balanced diet. Eating a diet high in iron and calcium may decrease a child's absorption of lead.
Avoid certain children's products and toys. Do not buy any off-brand toys, old toys, and toys from discount shops or private vendors unless you are certain that the toys have been produced without lead or other harmful substances. You should also avoid allowing your child to wear costume jewelry.

Tip: Try regularly checking lead recall lists, and remember to not solely rely on commercial lead test kits as they may not always be reliable.

Take precautions around artificial athletic fields. Don't allow your child to eat on an artificial field, and keep drinking when they are not in use in a covered container. Make sure your child removes his or her clothes and turns them inside out to avoid tracking contaminated dust. If clothing can't be removed, have your child sit on a towel or blanket in your vehicle. When washing contaminated clothing, towels and blankets, put them in a separate load. Your child should also bathe with soap and water right away after playing on the field. Instruct your child to remove any shoes worn on the field when they enter the house.

With these precautions, hopefully, your child is safer from the dangerous effects of lead exposure. If you suspect that your child may have been exposed to lead, contact your child's doctor and ask that they perform a lead test.