Exposure to lead poisoning can cause serious health problems, especially in kids aged 1 to 6. The Department of Health in Hillsborough County provides free blood lead screenings for children who might have been exposed to lead.

The FHD said parents should ask their provider to test their child’s blood for lead between the ages 12 and 36 months.

Claire Maher is their public information officer and she said the only way to know your child is being affected by lead poisoning, is to get tested.

Maher said the number one cause of lead poisoning in the U.S. comes from dust from lead-based paint. 

“If you have a home that might be built before 1978, it’s really important to make sure you get that inspected for lead by a certified professional because you want to make sure that your paint doesn’t have lead in it,” Maher said.

Children can also be exposed to their parents or families who work in construction or welding.

“It’s really important to change your clothes before you go home, to wash those clothes separately, to avoid that cross-contamination. And then you also want to make sure that you’re washing your hands before you care for your children,” Maher said.

There can be lead exposure in contaminated soil and in some children’s toys and jewelry.

Maher also recommends consistent mopping and using soapy water to clean dust from your home. This is to prevent any lead particles from entering your Child’s body if they put something in their mouth. 

Lead poisoning can cause serious health impacts.

“It can even slow growth and development, and it can cause some hearing and speech problems as well. Very high levels of lead poisoning in children can cause seizures, coma and even death,” Maher said.

Even low levels of lead exposure in children can result in damage to the brain and nervous system.

For more information on lead exposure visit the Florida Health website.

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