Many Texas homes built before 1978 were painted with lead-based paint. Remodeling a house covered in lead paint will create dust and paint chips that can cause lead poisoning if inhaled or ingested. Childhood lead poisoning usually occurs when a child eats lead paint chips or dust, or breathes in leaded dust.
All children are at risk, whether they live in large cities or in the country.
Sources of lead can be found everywhere. Children who are 6 months to 6 years of age are at greatest risk for lead poisoning. Young children put many things in their mouths, and some of these things could contain lead. Lead is especially bad for infants and children because their bodies absorb lead so easily. Lead poisoning can slow a child's development and cause learning and behavior problems.