Lead poisoning in children should be totally preventable. Generally this can be done by removing the lead from the child's environment or removing the child from the lead-polluted environment.
Thus, some effective measures and intervention are required to minimise the risk of lead exposure, not only to children but also the whole community.
However, it seems that the obstacle faced in doing so are economic as well as administrative. As concerned parents and consumers, the following pointers could be useful:
Keep your home as clean and free from dust as possible. The best way to clean up lead dust is to regularly wet mop your floors, wipe window ledges, and wash all surfaces with water and household detergent.
Take off your shoes before entering the house, make sure they are wiped all on a doormat outside the house. This will help prevent lead dust and soil from getting into the house.
Change out of work clothes and take a shower before coming home if you work with lead at your job. Lead dust brought home on the clothes of workers can spread in the house and poison children. Lead is used in many workplaces such as radiator repair shops, battery manufacturing plants and lead smelters.
Never sand, burn or scrape paint unless you know that it does not contain lead
Test painted surfaces for lead in any area that you plan to remodel, before you begin the work. If lead is in the paint, learn how to handle the paint safely. If the work is not done the right way, lead dust can scatter and poison your family, pets, neighbours and workers.
Encourage healthy eating habits. Eating regular and healthy meals may make it harder for lead to hurt your child. Meals should include fruits and vegetables as well as calcium-rich foods (milk, cheese, yogurt, corn tortillas, tofu or beancurd) and iron-rich foods (meat, chicken, iron-fortified cereals, raisins, and dried fruit).
Wash children's hands often, especially before eating.
Do not use older, imported or handmade dishes for serving, preparing or storing food or drink unless you know that they do not contain lead.
Avoid hobbies that use lead. Hobbies that use lead include soldering, or making stained glass, bullets or fishing sinkers.
Keep furniture away from damaged paint. Do not place cribs, playpens, beds or high chairs, next to areas where paint is chipping or peeling, or can be chewed.
Do not use home remedies or cosmetics that contain lead. These remedies often contain a lot of lead an can make children very sick.
Source: California Department of Health Services and the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch)
