Mahaska Health Partnership Educates on Lead Testing for Children

Mahaska Health Partnership

MAHASKA COUNTY – Lead is a metal found naturally in the environment and some household products. While small amounts of exposure are usually harmless to adults, it can cause a variety of health complications for young children. Mahaska Health Partnership stresses the importance of lead testing for children.

“With the recent crisis developing in Flint, MI, now is a great time for parents and caregivers to be aware of lead risks in their homes,” MHP Public Health Coordinator Patty Malloy, RN, explained. “Initially, lead poisoning does not produce symptoms but exposure can have serious long-term side-effects. It is important for anyone with young children to know the risks and work to eliminate them from your environment.”

The residents of Flint, MI have been in the news recently after their water supply was found to be toxic. In an effort to save money, the city switched their water source in 2014. The new water proved to be highly corrosive to lead pipes, which are still used in some parts of the city. This caused heightened levels of lead to enter the tap water supplied to homes in Flint.

According to Malloy, lead exposure can be dangerous for anyone, but is especially harmful to young children. “There is no safe amount of lead exposure for children. A low level of lead in a child’s blood affects IQ, academic achievement and attentiveness”

Lead exposure risk is normally assessed by your primary care provider. “If your child’s provider finds there is a risk for lead poisoning, they can perform a simple blood test. If there is lead present in your child’s blood, organizations like us (Public Health) follow up to help identify lead risks in the child’s environment and how to reduce their risk of exposure.”

One of the biggest exposure risks of lead for children is found in older houses. “Homes that were built before 1978 can have lead-based paint in them,” Malloy explained. “Peeling paint or any home renovations including sanding or cutting can stir up lead particles and pose a risk to a small child.

“Water pumped through lead pipes, certain clay pots, jewelry, make-up, candies, toys and some home remedies can also contain lead. Parents who work in an environment with lead can also track it into the house on their clothes and shoes.”

While there are medications available that may lower the amount of lead in a child’s bloodstream, it’s important to remove any sources of lead from their environment first. “Removing lead sources in your child’s environment is extremely important to limit the effects of exposure,” Malloy explained.

“For homes with lead-based paint, as long as there’s no chipping or flaking, it’s usually safe to paint over with a latex-based product. If the paint is flaking or peeling, make sure to clean it up and keep it out of reach for little ones. Once it is in this stage, blocking off the area, removing the paint and disposing of it properly may be necessary.

“It’s important to talk with a medical professional about the risks of lead poisoning in your child’s life,” Malloy urged. “By being mindful of the lead sources in your child’s environment and feeding them a healthy diet, you can reduce their risk of lead poisoning.”

Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, look us up on the web: mahaskahealth.org.