Eating lead paint chips and lead dust is a very common cause of lead poisoning in young children. Young children are also very active and like to explore. A child can crawl on the floor and reach windows, walls, railings or doors. All of these areas can be sources of peeling and chipping lead-based paint or leaded dust. Even toys and food that have fallen on the floor can be coated with lead dust.
Children also run a greater risk because their bodies absorb the lead more easily.
A child's quickly growing body can be harmed by even small amounts of lead. No desire to eat food Loss of recently acquired skills Drowsiness Irritability Headache Lack of energy Constipation Stomach cramps Trouble sleeping Symptoms of lead poisoning do not appear until a child is very ill. Children up to six years of age should have a blood lead test done each year. Your health care provider can perform this test. We welcome your comments and suggestions about this site.