10/08

Most children who have leadpoisoning do not look or act sick• The only way to know if your childhas lead poisoning is for your child toget a blood test for lead.

• Talk to your child’s doctor. Your childmay need a blood test for leadpoisoning. Most children are tested at1 and 2 years old. Some children over2 also need to get tested.

• Your child may be able to get freehealth care, including tests for lead.To find out, call 1-888-747-1222. Thecall is free.

• If you are pregnant, lead can hurtyour baby. Ask your doctor if youshould get a blood test for lead.

LEAD IS IN paint and dust insideand outside of homes and buildingsbuilt before 1978.• Wet mop floors, wet wipe window sills,vacuum, and wash all surfaces often withhousehold cleaner. Rinse with clean water.

• Wash your child’s hands often,especially before eating and sleeping.Also wash your child's toys often.• Do not let your child chew on paintedsurfaces or eat paint chips.

• Cover bare dirt outside your homewith plants, paving stones, concrete,bark, or gravel.

• Take off shoes or wipe them on adoormat before going inside.

• Never sand, dry scrape, power washor sandblast paint unless it has beentested and does not have lead in it. Callyour local Childhood Lead PoisoningPrevention Program (1-800-524-5323) tofind out about testing your paint.

LEAD IS IN pots and dishes that areold, handmade, or made outsideof the U.S.• Have these tested for lead before youuse them for food or drinks. Call yourlocal Childhood Lead PoisoningPrevention Program (1-800-524-5323) tofind out about testing your pots anddishes.

LEAD IS IN many workplaces.• Ask your employer to tell you if youwork with lead. Workplaces where leadis found include:

– places where people work withradiators or batteries, or do solderingor welding

– places built before 1978 that arebeing painted or remodeled

• If you work with lead, change out ofyour work clothes and shoes, and washor shower before you come home.

Be sure that products you bringhome do not have lead in themThese products often have lead in them:

– home remedies (bright orange,yellow, or white powders) like Greta,Azarcon, Paylooah, or Liga

– make-up like Kohl and Surma– some imported candies, especially

candies from Mexico made withtamarind fruit

Protect your child from leadFeed your child healthy meals andsnacks that include vegetables, andfoods rich in:

– calcium (milk, cheese, yogurt, corntortillas, tofu or bean curd)

– iron (meat, chicken, cooked driedbeans, iron-fortified cereals, andraisins and other dried fruit)

– vitamin C (oranges and orange juice,grapefruit and grapefruit juice, andtomatoes and tomato juice)

Lead can harm a child’s brain• Lead poisoning can make it hard forchildren to learn, pay attention andbehave.

• Young children get lead poisoningmore often than older children. Leadis also more harmful to them.

Protect Your Children

Learn About

For more information, call:1-800-LA-4-LEAD (524-5323)

L.A. County Department of Public HealthChildhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

For information on how to apply for Medi-Calcall: 1-888-747-1222

www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/clppb

BEWARE OF THESE LEAD DANGERSTake these steps to keep your child safe.