Wyoming WIC

Understanding Lead Poisoning and Lead Testing

Lead is a harmful metal found in the air, soil, water, and even inside homes. Lead poisoning happens when lead builds up in the body, sometimes over time, and can cause serious problems. Even small amounts of lead can harm children. Knowing how to spot and prevent lead exposure can help keep your family safe.

What is Lead Poisoning?

Lead poisoning happens when lead gets into the body and causes problems with normal body functions. This can happen by swallowing (eating or drinking) or breathing in lead.

Children are often exposed by swallowing lead dust, chips from old paint, or by putting objects with lead in their mouths.

Adults are often exposed by breathing in lead dust or fumes, especially if they have certain jobs or hobbies.

Common Sources of Lead Exposure:

Old Paint: homes built before 1978 often have lead-based paint. As the paint ages, it creates harmful dust or chips.

Soil: lead from old paint, car exhaust, or factories can contaminate soil.

Water Pipes: old plumbing pipes or fixtures can release lead into drinking water.

Certain Items: some imported toys, jewelry, candies, herbal supplements, cosmetics, and ceramic dishes may contain lead.

Who is at Greatest Risk?

Some groups are at greater risk to lead exposure:

Infants and Toddlers:

Young children often put their hands and objects in their mouth, putting them at risk of exposure. Their bodies also absorb lead more easily, and their developing brains and nervous systems are very sensitive to it.

Pregnant Women:

During pregnancy, lead stored in the mother’s bones can be released and exposed to the baby. Lead can harm both the mother and baby, increasing the risk of miscarriage, early birth, and smaller birth size. Lead can also damage the developing baby’s brain, kidneys, and nervous system, which can cause learning and behavior problems as they get older.

Breastfeeding Women:

While a small amount of lead can pass into breast milk, it’s usually not enough to harm the baby.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women may be exposed to lead by:

  • Eating things that aren’t food, like dirt or paint chips.
  • Using herbal remedies or traditional medicines like:
  • Greta
  • Azarcon
  • Ba-baw-san
  • Daw Tway
  • Imported cosmetic makeup
  • Cooking or storing food in old, lead-glazed pottery, glazed ceramic dishes, or leaded crystal.
  • Living in an old house that’s being renovated.

Workers in High-Risk Jobs:

Jobs involving lead-based products, like construction, painting, plumbing, or battery manufacturing carry higher risks.

Families Living in Older Homes:

Homes built before 1978 are more likely to have lead-based paint and plumbing.

Effects of Lead Poisoning

Lead poisoning can cause serious problems. It can harm almost every organ in the body, but is especially dangerous for the brain and nervous system.

Effects on Infants and Toddlers:

Developmental Delays: lead poisoning can slow a child’s growth and development.
Learning Difficulties: children with lead poisoning may have trouble learning and concentrating in school.
Behavioral Problems: lead can cause irritability, hyperactivity, and other behavior problems.
Communication Problems: lead poisoning can lead to hearing loss and speech problems.

Risk of Dental Problems: lead poisoning can weaken tooth enamel, reduce saliva, and block fluoride from working properly, which increases the risk of cavities.

Effects on Adults:

High Blood Pressure: lead poisoning can increase blood pressure, leading to heart disease.
Joint and Muscle Pain: adults with lead poisoning may have chronic pain.
Memory and Concentration Issues: lead can harm brain function, making it harder to focus or remember things.
Mood Disorders: lead poisoning can cause depression and anxiety.
Reproductive Health: lead can cause problems with fertility in both men and women.

Lead Testing

Testing for lead exposure is easy and important.
A simple blood test can measure lead levels.

When to Test:

Infants Toddlers: Testing is recommended at 12 and 24 months, especially if living in high-risk areas or older homes.

Adults: Consider testing if you work at a high-risk job or live in an older home.

Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women: Women who have had exposure to lead in the past, or are at risk for lead exposure should get tested. If a lead level of 5 µg/dL or higher is detected, follow-up testing is needed.

NUTRITION

Feeding your child regular meals and snacks helps them take in less lead. An empty stomach absorbs more lead. Offer your child three meals and two or three snacks every day.

How you prepare and serve your child’s foods can affect how much lead they are exposed to. Follow these three steps to help make a difference!

When preparing food, be sure to wash and cook using cold water to start.

Serve your children small snacks between meals.

Serve foods that are high in iron, calcium, and vitamin C.

IRON

Iron helps block too much lead from getting into the body. Food sources of iron include:

  • Lean red meats, fish, and chicken
  • Dried fruit, such as raisins and prunes
  • Spinach, kale, and collard greens
  • Beans
  • Iron-fortified cereal, bread, and pasta

CALCIUM

Calcium keeps bones strong and limits how much lead the body absorbs. Food sources of calcium include:
  • Spinach, kale, and collard greens
  • Tofu
  • Milk and milk products like cheese and yogurt

VITAMIN C

Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron and calcium. Food sources of Vitamin C include:

  • Tomatoes and tomato juice
  • Peppers
  • Citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit
  • Other fruits like kiwi, strawberries, and melons

Preventing Lead Exposure

There’s no cure for lead poisoning, so prevention is key. Removing lead from your home and environment, before you or your children are ever exposed, is the best way to prevent lead exposure. Here are other ways to help reduce the risk of lead exposure:

Clean Regularly:

Regularly wet-mop floors, and wet-wipe window sills and other surfaces to remove lead dust.

Fix Old Paint:

If your home was built before 1978, repair chipping paint safely using certified professionals.

Create Physical Barriers:

Block access by closing and locking doors to areas with chipping, peeling, or flaking paint.

Avoid Risky Items:

Be cautious of older or imported toys, jewelry, and ceramics that may contain lead.

Wash Hands and Toys:

Reduce lead intake by cleaning hands and toys often.

Use Cold Water:

Always use cold water for cooking and drinking, as hot water may contain more lead. If you have lead pipes in your house, let the tap water run for at least 30 seconds before use.

Eat Nutritious Foods:

A diet rich in calcium, iron, and vitamin C can help reduce how much lead the body absorbs.

Calcium:

milk, yogurt, cheese,
green leafy vegetables

Vitamin C:

oranges, tomatoes,
green peppers

Iron:

lean red meats, fish, chicken,
dried fruits

Bathe and wash clothes carefully:

After leaving an area with lead exposure, if possible, change clothes before getting in the car, shower as soon as possible, and wash clothes separately from others with an added rinse cycle.

stay ON grass:

When in areas with contaminated soil, play on grass instead of dirt.

What to Do If You Suspect Lead Poisoning

Contact your healthcare provider right away if you think you or your child has been exposed to lead. Symptoms aren’t always obvious, so early testing is critical.

Symptoms to Watch For:

In children: Developmental delays, difficulty learning, irritability, or loss of appetite.
Developmental Milestones
In adults: High blood pressure, joint pain, or memory problems.

Resources and Support

There are resources to help you learn more and get help with lead testing. Many programs offer free or low-cost testing and support for families at risk of lead exposure.

  • Wyoming Department of Health – Lead Poisoning

    Learn more about lead and the Wyoming Department of Health’s Childhood Blood Lead Prevention Program.

  • Wyoming Lead Service Line Project

    This website can help you determine what type of water service line you have along with information about lead service lines in your home.

  • Protect Your Tap: A Quick Check for Lead

    You find out if a lead service line brings water into your home. It includes pictures and step-by-step directions to identify lead service lines, tips to reduce lead exposure, information on testing your water, and resources for more help.

Lead-Smart TIPS:

  • Test your children and home for lead.
  • Clean regularly to reduce lead dust.
  • Use cold water for drinking and cooking.

By staying informed and proactive, you can help protect your family from the dangers of lead.

Click here for more information

REFERENCES

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Lead Prevention.” https://www.cdc.gov/lead-prevention/prevention/index.html
  2. Environmental Protection Agency. “Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water.” https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water
  3. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. “Lead and Your Health.” https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/lead/index.cfm
  4. Mayo Clinic. “Lead poisoning.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lead-poisoning/symptoms-causes/syc-20354717
  5. World Health Organization. “Lead poisoning and health.” https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lead-poisoning-and-health
  6. Wyoming Department of Health. “Lead Poisoning.” https://health.wyo.gov/publichealth/infectious-disease-epidemiology-unit/disease/lead-poisoning/
  7. Environmental Protection Agency. “Learn About Lead.” https://www.epa.gov/lead/learn-about-lead
  8. NYC Pediatric Dentist. “Lead Poisoning and Tooth Decay.” https://www.nycpediatricdentist.com/lead-poisoning-and-tooth-decay/
  9. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health. Guidelines for the identification and management of lead exposure in pregnant and lactating women. Atlanta, Ga.; 2010.
  10. Abadin H, Klotzbach JM, Taylor J, et al. Toxicological Profile for Lead. Atlanta GA; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 2020.

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SIDE-LYING HOLD

Side-Lying Hold

  1. For the right breast, lie on your right side with your baby facing you.
  2. Pull your baby close. Your baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
  3. In this position, you can cradle your baby’s back with your left arm and support yourself with your right arm and/or pillows.
  4. Keep loose clothing and bedding away from your baby.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You want to rest while baby feeds
  • You are breastfeeding in the middle of the night
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
CROSS-CRADLE HOLD

Cross-Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, use your left arm to hold your baby’s head at your right breast and baby’s body toward your left side. A pillow across your lap can help support your left arm.
  2. Gently place your left hand behind your baby’s ears and neck, with your thumb and index finger behind each ear and your palm between baby’s shoulder blades. Turn your baby’s body toward yours so your tummies are touching.
  3. Hold your breast as if you are squeezing a sandwich. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  4. As your baby’s mouth opens, push gently with your left palm on baby’s head to help them latch on. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is premature
  • Your baby has a weak suck
  • Your baby needs help to stay latched
  • Your baby needs extra head support
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
CLUTCH OR “FOOTBALL” HOLD

Clutch or “Football” Hold

  1. For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side.
  2. Put your baby’s head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm.
  3. Hold the base of your baby’s head with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby’s weight.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You have large breasts
  • You have flat or inverted nipples
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You are breastfeeding twins
  • Your baby likes to feed in an upright position
  • Your baby has reflux
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
CRADLE HOLD

Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, cradle your baby with your right arm. Your baby will be on their left side across your lap, facing you at nipple level.
  2. Your baby’s head will rest on your right forearm with your baby’s back along your inner arm and palm.
  3. Turn your baby’s tummy toward your tummy. Your left hand is free to support your breast, if needed. Pillows can help support your arm and elbow.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby needs help latching on
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Laid-Back Hold

Laid-Back Hold

  1. Lean back on a pillow with your baby’s tummy touching yours and their head at breast level. Some moms find that sitting up nearly straight works well. Others prefer to lean back and lie almost flat.
  2. You can place your baby’s cheek near your breast, or you may want to use one hand to hold your breast near your baby. It’s up to you and what you think feels best.
  3. Your baby will naturally find your nipple, latch, and begin to suckle.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is placed on your chest right after birth
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You have large breasts
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position