How much lead is safe?
I know one of the biggest concerns among parents this holiday season is the fact that so many toys have been recalled because of lead content - and the possibility that their child may have been exposed to lead already.
I found this explanation via Dr. Greene to be one of the best and least confusing.
Deaths from lead poisoning are now rare, but it is not unusual for a child’s blood to contain enough lead to cause intellectual and developmental delay, neurological problems, kidney disease, and anemia. Children absorb 40-50% of the lead that gets into their mouths (adults only 10%). Even small amounts of lead can produce high concentrations in the blood of young children because their bodies are small. Since children’s brains are still developing, the effect of lead poisoning can be especially damaging.
I think it’s been common for people to just jump on the band wagon and follow the trend of panic where lead is concerned. I have to admit, I didn’t do much investigating yet voiced my concern over the why’s, what if’s and they should… where the government is concerned.
Are you overly concerned about lead? What have you done to clean up your home? Have you gone so far as to hire an inspector to test your own home?
For more information call The National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD
Tags: lead paint, lead poisoning, toy recalls
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POSTED IN: Family Holidays, Parenting
1 opinion for How much lead is safe?
Linette
Dec 13, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Makes me glad my son’s moving beyond the toy stage. Now if we could skip the electronics stage…
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