The health risks resulting from exposure to lead continue to be a significant issue for households with children, Recently, there were news reports of massive toy recalls due to high lead content of the paint used on them. Well, Atlanta apartment dwellers should know that at certain units built before 1978, there remains a big risk of lead poisoning. However, don’t worry because there are precautionary measures you can do for you and your children’s protection.
The problem with exposure to lead at high levels is that it can cause permanent damage to children. Lead at high levels in the blood have been identified to cause brain damage, neurological conditions, and developmental issues like learning disabilities. Kidney failure, seizures and mental retardation have been known to have been caused by lead poisoning.
Lead has serious bad effects on pregnant women because it can cause miscarriage aside from developmental and other mental defects to the unborn child.
To protect your child from exposure to high levels of lead, you have to know its source or where your child would most likely encounter lead. Well, in some old Atlanta apartments it’s in the lead-based paint, especially if they are peeling off, found on the ceiling, walls, stair banisters and railings, doors and window sills.
Young children are very vulnerable to the effects of exposure to high levels of lead because of their ignorance of such things. It is therefore up to the adults to protect them from this dangerous exposure. For example, children should be kept away from areas with peeling off paints because of their habit of putting their hands on their mouths. After play, wash their hands because they have most likely touched some painted areas.
Discourage children from putting parts of their toys in their mouths. If you keep on reminding them, they will soon learn the habit of keeping their toys away from the mouth. Pacifiers and feeding bottles that have been thrown all over the room should be cleaned before giving them back to the child.
Owners and landlords of Atlanta apartments built before 1978 are required to certify that the place is free of lead-based paint. However, you cannot just trust them. To be sure, let your children undergo lead poisoning test. Furthermore, immediately report to the landlord any sign of peeling paint.
Be aware that any remodeling or renovation can break some painted surfaces and stir up lead contaminated dust, which is a health risk to children as well as adults. You should request for testing for lead, of the paint used in your Atlanta apartment.
If the landlord does not take any action, it’s worth it, for your health and peace of mind, to purchase a kit for testing lead in paint. The kits can be bought at the National Safety council.
Take note, lead poisoning is manifested by symptoms similar to ordinary ailments, like headache or nausea. If you suspect that you or your children have been exposed to high levels of lead, have yourselves tested. Blood testing is one way to detect lead poisoning.