How To Protect Your Family From Lead Poisoning
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most dangerous sources for lead exposure are lead-contaminated dust and lead-based paint. Homes built prior to 1978 typically contain lead-based paint, and as that paint peels and deteriorates, it becomes especially dangerous for children in the home. Children under 6 years of age are at greatest risk because they are constantly putting their hands in their mouths, potentially introducing lead dust into their rapidly growing bodies.
To reduce the risk of lead poisoning, you should first have your home tested for lead. If you are in the Delaware, D.C., Maryland or Northern Virginia areas, MD Mold Testing offers lead testing as part of its inspection services. Aside from paint, lead can be present in plumbing pipes, vinyl blinds and the soil on your property, among other places.
According to the CDC, other ways to avoid contamination include regularly washing hands and toys, discouraging children from playing in bare soil, regularly checking the Lead Recalls list and avoiding the use of cookware that does not specifically say that it is lead free.