It can affect developing brains of young children, causing learning and attention problems, hearing loss, slowed growth and behaviour problems. If too much gets into the bodies of pregnant women, it can affect unborn babies. In adults, it can cause joint and muscle pain, high blood pressure and infertility, memory loss and even fits. Lead industry workers may bring lead dust home on their clothes. People living near lead industries are at risk, as is anyone exposed to old paint and dust in older houses.
People absorb more lead if their diet is low in zinc, iron, or calcium, but high in fat.
Remind them to wash hands before eating and sleeping. Reduce dust at home. Wet- wash floors, stairs, windows with detergent weekly. Seal cracks and ceiling cavities to stop contaminated dust coming through. Keep play areas away from bare soil.