Children And Lead Poisoning

By Author: Winston Morrison
Total Articles: 79
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Your children may be exposed to lead which is a well known health hazard. Toys that have been made in other countries and then imported into the U.S. or antique toys and collectibles passed down through generations put children at risk of exposure to lead. Lead may be used in two aspects of toy manufacturing and lead may be found in the paint on toys.

Lead was banned as an ingredient in house paint, on products marketed to children, and in dishes or cookware in the United States as far back as 1978; however, it unfortunately is still widely used in other countries and therefore can still be found on imported toys. It may also be found on older toys made in the United States prior to the ban.

The use of lead in plastics has not been banned yet. It softens the plastic and makes it more flexible so that it can go back to its original shape. It may also be used in plastic toys to stabilize molecules from the heat applied during manufacturing. When the plastic is exposed to substances such as sunlight, air, and detergents the chemical bond between the lead and plastics breaks down and forms a dust.

How do ...
... children become exposed

Children may be exposed to it from consumer products through normal hand-to-mouth activity, which is part of their normal development. Lead is invisible to the naked eye and has no smell. Children often place toys, fingers, and other objects in their mouth, exposing themselves to lead paint or dust containing lead particles.

What to do if you are concerned about your child's exposure

If you have any reason to suspect that your child has been exposed to a toy containing lead, remove the toy immediately. Most children with elevated blood lead levels have no symptoms. The only way to tell is to have a blood lead test. Your health care provider can help you decide whether such a test is needed and can also recommend treatment if your child has been exposed. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issues recalls of toys that could potentially expose children to lead.

Can you test a toy for lead

Although do-it-yourself kits are available, they do not indicate how much lead is present and their reliability at detecting low levels of lead has never been determined. Only a certified laboratory can accurately test a toy for lead.

Lead poisoning is entirely preventable. The key is stopping children from coming into contact with lead and treating children who have been poisoned by lead. Additional health related articles may be found at the information source Good products on SVP DV12T-LE 12MP MPEG-4 Digital Camcorder with MP3 P...