Help your kids stay healthy and safe by limiting their exposure to lead.
Most parents know that coming into contact with lead can be dangerous for their children. However, because lead was once commonly found in paint and other substances, many parents fail to recognize just how dangerous exposure to the substance can truly be. The truth is that there is no amount of lead that would be considered safe to ingest and the less you have in your system, the better. While it is incredibly difficult to stay away from lead completely, there are some key places it likes to hide and some easy-to-remember tips to help limit your family’s exposure.
- Was your house built before 1978? If so, it’s time to check the paint. In 1978, the sale and use of consumer paint containing lead was banned. However, that doesn’t mean that your house is lead-free. If your house was built during or before 1978, test the paint for traces of lead. Any newer paint that has been applied to the interior or exterior of the home may have sealed the lead. However, if the paint begins to peel or crack the toxin can be released into the air or even into the soil around your house.
- Make sure your child’s school has been lead tested. It’s best to make sure that the places where your child spends the most time are safe from lead contamination. Schools, daycares, or even the playground may hide old layers of lead-based paint or use special industrial paints that may contain lead. Although laws and regulations at the federal and state level require that these areas remain lead-free, there’s never any harm in checking on them.
We care about keeping your family safe. Contact the Pediatric Surgical Associates for all your pediatric surgical needs. Our pediatric surgeons in Orange County are experts at protecting your kids’ health and wellness!