No amount of lead exposure is considered healthy, specifically for developing children. 

New State and Federal Initiatives and Guidelines have endorsed increased testing of potential lead sources including in water sources in schools to prevent lead exposure.  
Please visit the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) for information pertaining to lead in water, and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) for more information pertaining to lead exposure.

If you are concerned your child has been exposed to lead, please schedule an appointment with your doctor for a lead screening test.

Please email your district nurse if you need assistance applying for insurance or help finding a provider. 

Some possible signs and symptoms of lead poisoning in children are:

• Increased sleepiness

• Hyperactivity

• Irritability or crankiness

• Reduced attention span

• Poor appetite & weight loss

• Trouble sleeping

• Constipation

• Aches or pains in stomach

Lead is a poison that  can affect every organ and system in the body. There is no function or need for lead in the body. No amount of lead detected in the blood is considered normal. Lead can lead to health issues such as anemia and very high levels of lead exposure can cause coma, seizures and death. Even a little lead can cause health effects in children. 

Lead exposure can occur from ingestion ( swallowing lead contaminated items or objects), inhalation ( breathing in lead contaminated dust or soil)  or cross contamination (handling lead containing items, such as paint, and then touching food, for example). 

There are some simple measures to help protect you and your family from lead poisoning:

• Wash hands and toys. To help reduce hand-to-mouth transfer of contaminated dust or soil, wash your children's hands after outdoor play, before eating and at bedtime and wash their toys regularly.

• Clean dusty surfaces. Clean your floors with a wet mop and wipe furniture, windowsills and other dusty surfaces with a damp cloth.

• Run cold water. If you have older plumbing containing lead pipes or fittings, run your cold water for at least a minute before using. Don't use hot tap water to make baby formula or for cooking.

• Prevent children from playing on soil. Provide them with a sandbox that's covered when not in use. Plant grass or cover bare soil with mulch.

• Eat a healthy diet. Regular meals and good nutrition may help lower lead absorption. Children especially need enough calcium and iron in their diets.

The foods we give our children can help prevent the absorption of lead into the body:

Resources:
Environmental Protection Agency
American Academy of Pediatrics

References:
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention ( 2016)
Mayo Clinic (2015)
Michigan Department of Health (2015)
Oregon Health Authority (2016)