Small children are more at risk for lead exposure than adults. Their bodies tend to absorb lead more easily. Also, they frequently put hands and toys into their mouths. Small children ingest lead from contaminated household dust and paint chips that stick to hands, toys and other objects they put into their mouths. The only way to determine if a child has been exposed to lead is to have his or her blood tested.
Some children require hospitalization for lead poisoning.
According to officials within the Nebraska Health and Human Services System, all children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years old, living in homes built before 1950, should be tested for elevated blood lead levels . Generally a simple fingerstick specimen is acceptable for blood lead testing. Testing can be performed in almost any medical facility in Nebraska. Since the early '70s, the blood-lead level for children indicating lead poisoning has been lowered substantially. While scientists aren't positive, several studies support evidence that children exposed to lead poisoning have, as a result, lower IQ scores.