How to Protect Your Children from Lead Poisoning

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By Donna R
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating: (3 Ratings)

Boy with toys

Amazingly, protecting your children from lead requires constant vigilance. Although our country stopped using lead, the poorer countries that manufacture our products often use lead cores or lead paint. Our children pay the price. What can you do? Let me show you.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

internet access

Step 1

Made in the United States of America.

Buy American.

Since our country banned lead in the 1970s, products made of US components assembled in the US should be safe. Be careful of disclaimers, such as "Assembled in the US by components made in___(usually a country with contamination issues). These may not be safe.
Step 2

Test regularly for lead.

Test toys for lead.

The most effective way is to test toys as they come into your house, especially around high-toy holidays, like birthdays and Christmas. Test other products as you buy them. Return to the store if lead is present.
Step 3

Have routine lead blood tests done at the doctor's office.

See your pediatrician for the blood lead test.

If there is a problem, it will show up on the test. Some measures can be taken to reduce lead levels to some degree, but can't completely clear up the problems associated with poisoning.
Step 4

Nothing beats soap and water for washing up.

Make hand washing a top priority before eating.

Hand sanitizers won't remove lead.
Step 5

Petition and email.

Contact your elected officials.

Urge them to ban all products containing lead from coming into the country.