Lead Contaminated Toys Pose Risk To Children

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There are so may things in this world that can be detrimental to our health that it seems like we should always be on the look out for risks, but sometimes they come in the unexpected places. For example, recently there have been a spate of recalls of children's toys due to dangerous levels of lead paint despite its use being discontinued in the US for many years. Unfortunately, because we live in a global market, often our goods are produced in other countries and that means that they may not meet the standards we hold in regards to safety.

If toys contain lead or lead paint then they can be dangerous as they expose children to lead. Young children have a habit of putting toys in their mouth and so they risk small amounts of lead getting into their body and if the object contains to much lead then this can be bad. Most children do have a small level of lead in their blood and are naturally exposed to lead on a daily basis. However, even low levels of additional lead can be dangerous especially to very young children.

According to official sources, the worst culprit when it comes to lead poisoning is lead based paint in older buildings because when it chips or peels it can send up dangerous lead dust. Lead can also contaminate soil and drinking water. Additionally, glazed pottery and jewlery may be treated with lead based glaze. However, perhaps the most concerning is the toys with lead based paint. If you suspect that your child has been exposed to such toys then the first step is to take the toy away from your child. If you are concerned about exposure then get your child checked out by a doctor. Children with low levels of lead may exhibit no apparent symptoms, but when the levels are above 40 micrograms/dL the symptoms include abdominal cramps, constipation, lethargy and in the worst cases seizures.

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Lead Poisoning : The Risks

Childhood lead poisoning is by far the most avoidable environmental ailment in youngsters, but somewhere around One million young children continue to have raised bloodstream lead amounts. Lead poisoning can result in learning disabilities, behavior issues, convulsions and loss of life, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. It is particularly detrimental to fetuses and small children.

Most youngsters are in contact with hazardous amounts of lead if they are living in properties constructed prior to 1978 - the year during which lead based paints were banned as a result of medical problems. Federal and state governing bodies are supporting programs to scale back and eliminate the issue. To give an example, a recent $2.9 million federal government grant will soon allow the city of Indianapolis to maintain lead assessments for the local children, provide lead dust sets for many households and assist development of about 400 lead free real estate units as part of a Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration program.

The program's goal is to eliminate lead in 389 area homes, 115 of which must be rental properties. Households will be selected based on income level, risk of contamination and whether small kids or expectant mothers are on the property.

Even if your area is not currently in receipt of such grants, if you are concerned about the possibility of lead paint in your property, then you will be able to call in professional lead paint removal experts to evaluate, and if required remove lead paint from, your property.