lead exposure and toxicity in children
DESCRIPTION
Lead Exposure and Toxicity in Children. By Theresa Baker Walden University Student Project July 7, 2009. What is Lead?. Abundant Heavy Metal Highly Toxic Used in a variety of components including Refineries Paint Ceramics Pipes Solders Gasoline Batteries Cosmetics. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Lead Exposure and Toxicity in Children
By Theresa BakerWalden University Student Project
July 7, 2009
Abundant Heavy Metal Highly Toxic Used in a variety of components including
◦ Refineries◦ Paint◦ Ceramics◦ Pipes◦ Solders◦ Gasoline◦ Batteries◦ Cosmetics
What is Lead?
Why is Lead Poisoning Important to Me and my
Children?
Lead poisoning affects890,000 US children
Age 1-5
http:// kids.niehs.nih.gov/lead.htm
Babies and young children often put their hands and other objects in their mouths
Babies crawl on contaminated floors Growing bodies absorb more lead Child brains and nervous systems are more
sensitive to the damaging effects of lead
Why is Lead Dangerous to Children?
Where is this Harmful Lead Found?
EVERYWHERE!
What are the Signs of Lead Poisoning in Children?
Headaches Muscle and joint weakness or pain Excessive tiredness Irritability Difficulty concentrating Decreased appetite Metallic taste in the mouth Abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting Constipation
http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/lead.htm
Signs and Symptoms
Nervous system damage and Stroke Learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder,
and decreased intelligence Speech, language, and behavior problems Mental Retardation Poor muscle coordination Decreased muscle and bone growth Hearing damage Kidney and Heart Disease
http://www.epa.gov/oppt/lead/pubs/leadrev.pdf
Effects of Long Term Exposure
seizures unconsciousness death
Exposure to High Levels of Lead
The Effects of Lead can be Permanent and Irreversible
http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/lead/prevent_child.shtml
Test your Child for Lead
Can Lead Poisoning be Treated?
Contact the National Lead Information Center◦ Email to: [email protected]◦ http://www.epa.gov/oppt/lead/pubs/nlic.htm◦ 800-424-LEAD (5323) (Voice - Toll-free)
Test home for lead using professionals◦ Risk Assessment test◦ Visual test◦ Portable fluoresce X-ray◦ Lab tests of paint and water samples◦ Surface dust tests
Let the professionals remove the lead source
How Do I Prevent Lead Exposure?
PREVENTION
IS THE
KEY