Lead Poisoning

Lead is either inhaled or swallowed. The vast majority of lead poisoning in Detroit is related to aging houses with peeling and cracking lead paint. When lead paint in the house cracks or peels, it can create lead dust. Young children may inhale lead dust or consume paint chips. Children often have contact with lead dust by crawling or putting their hands and toys in their mouths.

Children ages 6 and younger are at the greatest risk because they are still growing and developing. Exposure to lead can result in delays in physical and mental development for small children. Pregnant women and nursing mothers are also at risk and should avoid exposure to lead to protect their children. Adults can also suffer from lead poisoning, which usually results in aches, pains, and feeling tired all the time. However, there are few long term effects of lead poisoning in adults

A lead test is the only way to know if your child has lead poisoning. Most children who have lead poisoning do not look or act sick. Ask your doctor to test your child for lead or call the resources listed below for testing.

Yes, the most common way for lead poisoning to occur is from chipping or sanding that causes lead to be swallowed or breathed in from paint in homes built before 1978. Make sure to follow precautions to reduce the likelihood of lead exposure.

Watch out for lead in your home from cracking or peeling paint that can create lead dust. Eat foods with calcium, iron and vitamin C to help protect your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about how you can protect your baby if you are concerned about potential lead poisoning.

Watch out for lead in your home from cracking or peeling paint that can create lead dust. Eat foods with calcium, iron and vitamin C to help protect your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about how you can protect your baby if you are concerned about potential lead poisoning.

It depends on how high the lead level is. At a very high level, an individual should be hospitalized so that the lead can be removed from his or her blood. At lower levels, steps should be taken to eliminate the exposure to lead while the body clears the lead itself.