Signs & Symptoms of Lead Poisoning in Children and Ways to Prevent Exposure Risks

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that at least 4 million households have children living in them that are being exposed to high levels of lead. The CDC also reports that there are approximately half a million U.S. children ages 1-5 with blood lead levels above 5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL), the reference level at which the CDC recommends public health actions be initiated.
 
Although exposure to lead can be harmful to people of all ages, it is particularly harmful to the developing brain and nervous system of young children and unborn babies. Lead exposure can affect nearly every system in the body and the CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified.
 
It is not always clear that a child has been exposed to lead as it can occur without obvious symptoms or the symptoms may be attributed to other causes.  The Oregon Health Authority provides the following list of possible signs and symptoms of lead poisoning in children.  They include:

• Tiredness or loss of energy
• Irritability or crankiness
• Reduced attention span
• Hyperactivity
• Poor appetite
• Weight loss
• Trouble sleeping
• Constipation
• Stomach aches or pains

 
“Prevention and education are the key to stopping lead poisoning of children,” said Franco Seif, President of Clark Seif Clark.  “There are millions of older homes that still have lead-based paint and even lead in their water due to plumbing fixtures. At CSC, our environmental and building science professionals provide lead consulting and testing services to identify existing lead hazards so that corrective actions can be implemented to eliminate exposure risks.”
 
CSC recently sponsored an educational video about possible signs and symptoms of lead poisoning in children that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/Hu1NEWaOISo
 
To learn more about lead or other indoor air quality, environmental, occupational, health and safety services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118. 
 
About Clark Seif Clark
CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both public and private sectors address environmental, IAQ, and health and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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