LEAD Information

Lead Poisoning

Lead poisoning is most dangerous to young children and unborn babies. Even small amounts of lead can have serious effects on health.

Lead can harm a child’s brain, causing learning, hearing, and behavioral problems. It can also damage the kidneys and other organs. Lead in the body blocks important minerals such as iron and calcium from working properly, which can slow growth and development. The effects of lead poisoning can be permanent.

Health Effects

• Damage to the brain and nervous system
• Learning and behavioral problems
• Slowed growth and development
• Hearing and speech problems

Lead Testing

The only way to know if a child has lead poisoning is with a blood test.

• Blood tests detect exposure from the past 3–4 months.
• Children should be tested at 12 months and again at 24 months (at their one- and two-year check-ups).
• Children with lead poisoning often do not look or act sick.

What Parents Can Do

A healthy diet can help protect children from lead poisoning.

• Give children four to six small, low-fat meals during the day.
• Children with empty stomachs absorb more lead than those who have eaten.
• The right foods, especially those high in iron, calcium, and vitamin C, help reduce lead absorption.

Where Lead is Found

• Lead-based paint — common in homes and buildings built before 1978 (57% of Indiana housing).
• Household dust — from painted surfaces rubbing together, peeling paint, or cracked paint.
• Air, soil, and water — less likely to cause high exposure but still possible.
• Consumer products — some plastics, painted toys, and jewelry.

Lead Levels

• There is no safe amount of lead in the body.
• A confirmed blood lead level above 3.5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) is considered elevated by the CDC.

If a Child’s Lead Level is 5 µg/dL or Higher

• A nurse will visit your home to help identify possible lead hazards.
• We can arrange a home inspection with a licensed lead risk assessor to test paint, dust, and soil in and around your home.
• These services are FREE and there are no repercussions — this will not result in eviction or reporting to child welfare agencies.

Preventing Lead Exposure

• If your child is under age 6, ask their doctor about a simple lead test.
• Contact the Health Department about testing if your home was built before 1978.
• Wash children’s hands often, along with toys, pacifiers, and bottles.
• Keep your home clean and dust-free.
• Remove shoes before entering your home to prevent tracking in lead dust.

The following resources provide further insight into what lead is, where it is commonly found, and why it is vital to prevent lead exposure in young children.