STATE COLLEGE — The lead water crisis in Flint, Mich., has brought the harmful effects of lead exposure in both children and adults to everyone’s attention. Additionally, recent news coverage of a 2014 Pennsylvania Department of Health study released in October 2015 that reported that children in 18 cities in Pennsylvania had higher blood lead levels than Flint, has added to the concern.
What’s important to note about the Pennsylvania Department of Health study, however, is that the high blood lead levels were from sources such as lead-based paint exposure from homes built before 1978 or old toys and furniture, not contaminated water. Other sources of lead exposure may include soil that has lead in it, dust and paint chips from old paint and mini-blinds manufactured outside of the U.S. before July 1997.
Symptoms of lead exposure usually include irritability, headache, loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss, nausea or vomiting, metallic taste in mouth, muscle and joint weakness, or seizures. If left untreated, lead poisoning can lead to learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and brain and kidney damage. The signs of lead poisoning can be mistaken for other illnesses, and a child that has a high lead blood level may not act sick.
If you believe your child has been exposed to lead, talk to your pediatrician about getting his or her lead blood level tested.
