A county councilman proposes screening children for lead poisoning prior to school enrollment to help avoid behavioral problems the toxic substance may cause. Councilman Charlie Dooley, D-Northwoods, submitted his proposal last week, calling for blood tests for children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years. Dooley's bill would require the testing for children who live in or spend a significant amount of time in dwellings constructed prior to 1978, the year interior lead paint was banned. Kids need every advantage they can get, and this is one disadvantage they don't need.
Lead poisoning can cause learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, and hyperactivity.
It is the No. 1 environmental disease among American children, the government reports. The condition is often irreversible. Poisoning most often occurs from ingesting paint chips or inhaling lead dust. But symptoms for lead poisoning like headache, irritability, dizziness, and fatigue mimic other conditions, making it difficult for parents to identify. The only way you really know is through a blood test.