Lead enters your body each time you inhale leaded fumes or dust, or swallow something that contains lead. Your body does not have a use for lead. If you are exposed to a small amount of lead, your body will discharge it. If you are exposed to small amounts of lead over time or one large dose, your body may take in more lead than it can clean out.

a. Lead poisoning is entirely preventable. The key is stopping children from coming into contact with lead. This is how you can help protect your children from lead poisoning: i. Damp-mop floors and damp-wipe surfaces often; and frequently wash a child's hands, pacifiers, and toys to reduce exposure to lead. ii. Use only cold water from the tap for drinking, cooking, and for making baby formula.

a. Medical treatment may reduce the amount of lead in a child's blood, but the damage already done is irreversible. That is why prevention is stressed.

Don't forget that lead may be a health hazard on the job. People working as painters, remodelers, auto repair workers, plumbers and battery factory workers can be exposed to lead on the job. Follow these safety rules to help protect you and your family. Do not shake out these work clothes and do not wash them with other clothing. Clean washable work clothing separately form other clothes. Run the rinse cycle once before using the washer again.

Symptoms of lead poisoning do not appear until a child is very ill. Children up to six years of age should have a blood lead test done each year. Your health care provider can perform this test.

In Children -- Childhood lead poisoning is the number one environmental health risk for children today. In the United States, more than three million children age six and younger -- that's one out of six -- already have toxic levels of lead in their bodies. Lead interferes with the development and functioning of almost all body organs, and retards the development of the central nervous system and brain. Lead is sometimes called, "brain poison.

The primary cause of lead poisoning in children is lead dust contamination from old deteriorated paint or dry sanding/scraping of intact paint during repainting or remodeling.

Children under six years of age are the most at risk. They often play close to the floor and put things in their mouths. These natural behaviors make them more likely to be exposed if there are lead hazards around them. If lead is ingested, a young child's body tends to absorb lead into the blood more readily than an adult's body. Children who have diets that are low in iron and calcium tend to absorb more lead, so good nutrition is one vital element of lead poisoning prevention.

Most adults are not at risk, unless they work with lead in some capacity. Adults with lead poisoning can suffer from damage to the nervous system, reproductive system, digestive system, and kidneys. If you have questions about occupational lead exposure, make sure to call the California Occupational Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at (510) 620-5757 or (866) 627-1587 for more information.

No. There is no cure, but there are ways to reduce exposure to lead. Keep the area where children play clean, wash the children's toys, have children wash their hands before meals and bedtime, and eating a healthy diet are just a few. The site of the test needs to be observed and felt by a trained TB test administrator for an official "reading". Sometimes subtle changes have occurred that must be "felt".

Children with lead poisoning often have no symptoms. The only way to tell is to have your child tested. A child can be poisoned and show no outward signs. When there are symptoms, they can include diarrhea, stomach cramps, lethargy, vomiting, or seizures in some severe cases.

Your child can be tested for lead poisoning at your physician's office. Your physician needs to order the test. You may want to request that your physician order the test if your child is between 6 months and 6 years of age and is at risk for lead poisoning. For more information, call 303-692-2700.

Many times the lead poisoned child does not have any symptoms. The only way to find out if a child has lead poisoning is to do the lead test.

Established in 1991, the Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program has become a national leader in childhood lead poisoning programs, combining health, environmental and residential hazard reduction services under one umbrella. For more information about the program including our mission and history, select the following link: About Us Why is lead a problem? Lead is a heavy metal that is a neurotoxin, which means that it can harm the brain. It also harms bones and internal organs.