No level of lead is safe for children. Even small amounts of lead have been shown to reduce the ability to learn and pay attention. Children can be exposed to lead in many ways, like:
- Living in a home built before 1978 containing lead-based paint.
- Swallowing paint chips or breathing in lead dust (especially during home repairs).
- Chewing on toys, jewelry or other items containing lead.
- Playing in soil containing lead.
- Touching the skin, work clothes or shoes of a family member who works with lead-based products.
To protect children from lead poisoning:
- Regularly wash your child’s hands, pacifiers and toys, and take off your shoes or wipe soil off your shoes before entering your home.
- Repair chipping or peeling paint in your home and regularly wet mop areas around your home where your child plays.
- If you work with lead-based products, shower and change your clothes before going home.
Talk to your child’s primary care provider (PCP) about getting your child tested for lead.
- A blood test is the best way to know if your child has been exposed to lead.
- Children should be tested at one and two years old.
Once your child is tested for lead, ask their PCP to explain the test results. For high blood lead levels, work with their PCP to make a plan for follow-up tests and visits.
Learn more about lead poisoning.