Are children really exposed to lead?  The short answer, yes.  Many parents dismiss the risk of exposure to lead.  Most of us know that lead was phased out of gasoline and paint years ago, and we believe that the bans on lead in these products have successfully all but eliminated the risk of lead poisoning.  As a result, most of us believe that our children cannot be exposed to lead.  Many moms have to

ld me that they don’t have to worry about lead because they live in a “nice house” and their children don’t “lick the walls.” 

But lead exposure isn’t about living in a nice house or not eating paint chips.  It is about lead in our household dust, soils, toys, vinyl products, and a number of other potential sources.

One in 10 children in the United States has blood lead levels about 5 micrograms lead per deciliter of blood according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  This is significantly better than in the 1970s, before lead was phased out as a gasoline additive and lead in paint was limited to 600 parts per million.  But it is still too high.  While the current action level for lead in blood is 10 micrograms per deciliter, studies have shown significant impacts with blood lead levels above 2 micrograms per deciliter.  Deficits in IQ, hyperactivity, slowed growth, etc., can all result from blood lead levels about 2 micrograms per deciliter.

The source of lead exposure for most children is lead paint chips and lead in household dust and soils.  Lead paint chips are an easy to understand and see source of lead.  If your home constructed before 1978 and you have flaking paint, you may have a problem.  Those lead paint flakes can be ingested by children.  Children love to peel paint – and they aren’t so careful about washing their hands before they stick them in their mouth, or eat.  Children absorb about 50% of the lead they ingest, as compared to adults that only absorb about 11%.  So, if a child ingests a flaked lead paint chip, he can potentially get sick.  A paint chip the size of a staple can elevate a child’s blood lead level. 

Lead in household dust can be found as a result of, among other things, the rubbing of painted surfaces.  So, even if your paint is in good condition, you may have lead contaminated paint dust generated at painted doors and windows, or built in cabinets or drawers.  We also track in lead contaminated dirt from outside the home, particularly from dirt along roadways as a result of lead being used as a gasoline additive.

My sister has a historic home.  But, with the birth of her new baby boy, she got very concerned – and started testing surfaces with a home lead test kit.  And she called me, panicked – “They’re all pink.  Pink.  Pink.  All 28 of them.”

At first I thought she was pregnant, which would have been odd because she was only 12 or so weeks out from having her baby, which would have meant sex at 6 weeks or something, and I don’t think that would have happened.  Or immaculate conception, and I didn’t really think she was a candidate.

Then I realized she was talking about testing her home for lead using those home lead test check kits.  My intelligent response, “That’s bad.”

In addition to lead paint, a number of other sources of lead exist, including toys. An estimated 30% of the children with elevated blood lead levels have no known source such as an older home or daycare facility.  And for those children, determining lead exposure sources can be more difficult.  Lead lurks in so many places – from brass keys, to fishing weights, to folk or handmade pottery, to herbal remedies, to toys.

We all know that lead is routinely found in toys.  Last year was the notorious year of the recall, with many popular toys recalled for lead.

But, finally, our government has set a standard for lead in toys.  President Bush signed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 yesterday.  That law will FINALLY set a standard for lead in toys.  We’ve had a standard for lead in paints and coatings used in toys since 1978 (although it hasn't always been met, hence the recalls), but not an overall standard for lead in toys.  Surprised?  You shouldn't be.  Think about it, we knew lead in paint was a problem as early as 1904 with the first published reports linking lead paint and childhood lead poisoning, but it took us until 1978 to ban lead in paint.

But, in any event, now we do.  So, finally, lead in polyvinyl chloride plastic (aka PVC or vinyl) will be regulated, as well as other uses of lead.  And the standard for lead in paints and coatings will be reduced  - from 600 ppm to 90 ppm.

This is good news.  Actually, it is great news!  I regularly test toys for lead using a Niton XRF analyzer, and I can tell you that I frequently find lead present in toys.  Unsuspecting toys and children’s products.  A ballet charm for a little girl.  A painted dollhouse.  A vinyl lined lunch bag.  A diaper cover.

While the standards come into place, keep in mind that you can reduce your child’s exposure to lead: 

1. wash hands regularly to remove lead dust;
2. wet wash toys frequently to remove lead dust;
3. wet wipe regularly those surfaces that your child handles – the windowsill in her room, for example;
4. vacuum regularly with a HEPA equipped vacuum;
5. check your home for lead hazards;
6. eliminate potential lead sources around the home;
7. remove your shoes before coming inside;
8. change your clothes if your occupation results in exposure to lead before coming home; and
9. eat a healthy diet.

I’ve got lots more information on lead and other potential toxic chemicals in the home on my website – TheSmartMama.