How Lead Gets Into Children

• Young children suffer from lead poisoning more frequently because they put everything in their mouth. Chewing and sucking on things is normal for young children. They can swallow these tiny bits of lead and become lead poisoned.
• If there is lead where your children live or play, it can very easily get on their hands and toys.
• Most children who have lead poisoning do not look or act sick.
• Lead poisoning can cause permanent learning and behavior problems that may make it harder to be successful in school.
• There is no known safe blood level.
• The only way to know if a child is lead poisoned is by doing a blood lead test. Ask your doctor to test your child's blood for lead.
• Lead screening tests are covered by MediCal, Healthy Families, and CHDP if the child meets age and financial criteria.

A Few Sources of Lead . . .

• Imported foods such as tamarind candy and chapulines (grasshoppers)
• Traditional home remedies like Great, Azarcon, or Paylooah
• Dishes and pots made by hand, especially imported ceramics that are decorated with paintings or varnish that contain lead
• Imported toys and children's jewelry
• Paint in houses builte before 1978

Simple Steps You Can Take to Protect Your Child

• Wash your child's hands often, especially before eating and sleeping.
• Wash your child's toys.
• Mop floors and wet wipe window sills at least once a week
• Feed your child regular meals rich in calcium, iron, and vitamin C
• Avoid known sources of lead (see above)
• Ask your doctor to order a blood lead test on your child

Additional Information

• Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program brochure  in English  in Spanish

• Monterey County Lead Poisoning Letter and Questionnaire (in English and Spanish)     Letter  Questionnaire