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CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING PREVENTION PROGRAM                                           

LEAD AND CHILDREN

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What is Lead? |  Why is Lead Dangerous? | How Lead Harms Kid | Sources of Lead |
Testing and Treatment

What is Lead ?                                                Image of lead mineral

Lead is a heavy metal, blue-gray in color, found naturally in the earth. It is highly toxic if ingested.

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Why is Lead Dangerous?                                             

Lead does not degrade in the environment. Particulate matter containing lead can be transported through air, water, and soil. It may cause adverse effects in both children and adults including developmental delays and damage to internal organs throughout the body. It competes with other minerals that are essential to proper functioning of our body systems.

No amount of lead is considered safe.

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How Lead Harms Kids?                                               

Image of family standing outside of their homeChildren more likely to be exposed to dangerous lead levels due to more intensive hand-to-mouth activity and proximity to lead-based dust. In comparison to adults, lead poisoning is more likely to cause lasting harm to children due to their still developing body systems. They also absorb more lead than adults. 

Cognitive effects of lead poisoning have been observed with blood lead levels as low as 5 mcg/dL.

Lead is mainly absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract by ingesting its particles from eating or poor hygiene (food, water, hand-to-mouth). It can also be absorbed through the respiratory tract (dust or fumes). 
Once in the body, lead is absorbed into the bloodstream, circulates, and is stored throughout the body. Lead poisoning is the accumulation of lead in the body.

For most children, there are no symptoms of lead poisoning. However, lead poisoning can lead to the following issues in children:

  • Cause harm to a child’s developing nervous system.
  • Anemia (low blood count)
  • Decrease intelligence
  • Behavior problems (hyperactivity, irritability)
  • Difficulty learning, paying attention
  • Can damage kidneys and other organs
  • Very high exposures can lead to seizures or death

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Sources of Lead                                               
A chart featuring images of various objects that may contain lead

Lead is mainly absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract by ingesting its particles from eating or poor hygiene (food, water, hand-to-mouth). It can also be absorbed through the respiratory tract (dust or fumes). There are many sources of lead exposure.

Environmental Sources
  • Paint (chipping/peeling)
  • Half of Long Beach housing was built before lead-based paint was banned in 1978
  • Bare dirt, landscaping rocks
  • House dust
  • Plumbing (lead service lines)
  • Industry/manufacturing sites
  • Transportation (airports, freeways)
 Consumer Products
  • Imported or antique ceramics, dishes, pots
  • Imported foods (chapulines, candies, spices)
  • Traditional make-up (surma/kohl/kajal)
  • Traditional remedies (azarcon/greta)
  • Old vinyl toys
  • Jewelry, keys, batteries, magnets,chalk
  • Cigarettes & e-cigarettes
Occupational Sources (take-home exposure)
  • Home repair/ home improvement
  • Construction, carpentry
  • Car repair, metal work
  • Fishing (fishing sinkers)
  • Shooting ranges (lead bullets/casings)

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Testing and Treatment

Image of a child receiving a finger prickThe only way to know if your child has lead poisoning is by getting a blood lead test. Health care providers take a sample of blood from the finger or arm. Laboratory tests the blood to see if there is lead in the blood sample. 

All children should be tested (screened) for lead poisoning at 12 months (1 year) and 24 months (2 years) or anytime up to the age of six if they were not tested at the ages indicated.

Prevention is the best treatment! Find the source of lead exposure and remove it. As lead competes with other minerals in the body, a healthy diet rich in calcium, iron and vitaman C can prevent lead from getting into your child's body. In more severe cases of lead poisoning, medical intervention may be necessary.

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Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
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City of Long Beach CLPPP
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Long Beach, CA 90815

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