SRC CLEARCorps Lead Safety

Steps for Lead Safety

Lead poisoning is preventable. Here are some easy steps to take to minimize your risk:

1. Insist that your child receive a blood test for lead. This should be done once every six months for children under three, and once a year for children between three and six. Symptoms of lead poisoning may occur in combinations or not at all; blood testing is the only way to know if your child has been poisoned.

2. Wash children’s hands, toys, and pacifiers often. Young children explore the world with their mouths. Washing hands and toys can prevent young children
from ingesting lead dust and particles. Insist that
children wash their hands before mealtime.

3. Remove shoes at the door. This will help prevent lead dust and soil from entering your home.

4. Consider limiting indoor access to any outdoor pets, who may carry lead dust into the home on their paws and fur. Bath pets regularly.

5. Clean floors, window frames, windowsills, and other surfaces weekly. Cleaning up dust and dirt regularly with a sponge, mop, rag, an all-purpose cleanser and warm water makes a significant impact on lead levels in the home. Focus your cleaning on painted areas with friction-based moving parts such as windows and doors.

6. Thoroughly rinse, wash, or discard sponges, mops, or rags after cleaning dirty or dusty areas to avoid re-contamination.

7. Investigate existing lead hazards in your home before taking on any remodeling projects, which can make a bad lead situation worse. Hire contractors who are trained in lead-safe work practices, and make sure they comply with regulations. Learn everything you can about lead-safe work practices if you are a do-it-yourselfer.

8. Eat foods high in iron, calcium, and vitamin C. A diet high in these nutrients will help prevent the body from absorbing any lead that may enter the system.

9. Wash home-grown vegetables thoroughly. Washing helps to remove lead particles that may exist in your garden soil.

10. Let the water run for a count of ten before drinking it. This will run out all the water that has been sitting in the pipes. NEVER use hot tap water for mixing baby formula. Don’t use hot tap water for cooking. If possible, install a lead-trapping water filter.

11. Contact CLEARCorps or the Minnesota Department of Health for information on having your home, yard, or water tested for lead.