Lead Poisoning Prevention
Protecting Yourself and Your Baby from Lead
The most common source of lead is lead dust from paint in your home.
Lead paint becomes hazardous when it is disturbed. Even if it has been painted over, once the paint chips or cracks it can create lead dust. Lead dust can then be inhaled or accidentally ingested.
If your home was built before 1980:
-
Test your home for lead.
-
Children and pregnant women should not be present in housing built before 1980 that is undergoing renovation.
-
Never try to remove lead paint on your own.
-
Contact a certified professional to remove the paint.
-
Create barriers between living/play areas and lead sources such as closing or locking doors to restrict access.
-
Put up temporary barriers such as contact paper or duct tape, to cover holes in walls or to block children’s access to other sources of lead.
-
Keep children away from peeling paint and chewable surfaces painted with lead-based paint.
Tips to Prevent Lead Poisoning
-
Regularly wash children’s hands and toys.
-
Regularly wet-mop floors and wet-wipe window components.
-
Take off shoes when entering the house to prevent bringing in lead-contaminated soil from outside.
-
Prevent children from playing in bare soil; if possible, provide them with sandboxes. Plant grass on areas of bare soil or cover the soil with grass seed, mulch, or wood chips, if possible.
-
Pets track in dirt which could be contaminated. Use a mat at the door to try to trap the dirt and clean it frequently.
-
Use cold water for cooking.
-
Flush the water line for a minute before drinking or using it for cooking.
-
A healthy diet of Iron, Folate, Calcium, and Vitamin C can help reduce lead absorption.
-
Avoid food, drinks, clothing, or products that are known to have high levels of lead whenever possible.
-
Find out where your items are manufactured, what materials/ingredients they contain, and their origin.
-
Check regularly for recalls on the goods and food items you buy.
ADDITONAL RESOURCES
-
The websites for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), US Department of Agriculture (USDA), and New Jersey Food Recalls are helpful for finding information about recalled products.
-
Additionally, there are free apps you can use to view product ingredients, explore product labels, and find out if products are known for having harmful ingredients.
-
“Wash with Rinsey” is a fun and educational resource to encourage children to wash their hands.
Commonly Used Products with Known Lead Risks
Food may contain lead if it was grown or made in contaminated soil, water, or processing facilities. Some food items that have been found to have high lead levels include:
-
Sea moss and seaweed
-
Cordyceps and Chanterelle mushrooms
-
Plant based protein powders or bars
-
Candy and snacks imported from Mexico or China that contain Tamarind or Chili
-
Imported spices and herbs such as turmeric, chili powder, paprika, cinnamon, masala and curry.
-
Dishes and cookware made with lead can cause lead poisoning if used for cooking, eating or drinking. Avoid using dishes and cookware if they are:
-
Antique or made before 1980
-
Painted with lead-based glaze
-
Made from terracotta
-
Cracked, chipped or corroded
-
Decorative with paint on top of the clear coat
-
Made with aluminum containing Hindalium/Hindolium or Indalium/Indolium.
-
-
Some traditional folk and home remedies may contain lead or become contaminated during production or packaging. Common examples include:
-
Ayurvedic remedies
-
Gretan
-
Azarcon
-
Sindoor
-
Pay-loo-ah
-
Kohl or Surma
-
Untreated Kaolin
-
Red or orange powders
-
Cosmetics from off-brand and foreign sources are more likely to contain lead. Check the ingredients, look for lead-free labels on the packaging, and use trusted brands.
-
Traditional black eyeliner such as kohl, Surma, or kajal
-
Nail polish
-
Bright color powders and lipsticks
-
Henna
-
Skin lightening cream
-
Hair dye made before 2022
-
Inexpensive and low-quality clothing from companies that sell “fast fashion” clothing have been found to contain high levels of lead. Avoid clothing with lead acetate on the label. Higher-risk clothing and accessory items include:
-
Shoes
-
Jewelry
-
Faux leather items
-
Handbags
-
Wallets
-
Bright colors in synthetic materials
-
Candles and incense made outside of the United States may have lead-cored wicks or use lead to harden the material. When burned, they release lead into the air as a harmful gas.
