Symptoms of lead poisoning

Lead-based paint was banned in 1978, but houses built before then probably still contain leaded paint. Children, particularly under the age of six, are most at risk from even small amounts of lead, and the damage can be permanent. But there are things you can do to protect your kids. Read on to learn more about the symptoms and causes of lead poisoning, how to help prevent it, how to have your child screened, and how to make the healthiest choices for your family.

	Lead poisoning does not always have obvious symptoms:
Signs of lead poisoning are frequently attributed to other causes. Specific symptoms that children with lead exposure might complain of include headache, stomachache, irritability, fatigue, loss of appetite, and joint pain. Because many symptoms of lead poisoning are vague or similar to flu symptoms, parents may not get immediate medical attention for their child. It is critical that lab tests and environmental assessment be performed as early as possible in order to limit children’s exposure to the cause of the poisoning, ensure younger siblings are safe, and access remediation of any lead hazards that can reduce further lead exposure. The longer lead remains in the body of a young child, the higher the risk of permanent damage. Over 400 Monroe County children under age 6 tested positive for blood lead levels over the Centers for Disease Control “level of concern” in 2007. Over 3,000 additional children each year have blood lead in excess of the level that current research tells us causes permanent brain damage. The best way to determine if lead is present in the body is by testing a child’s blood.