Lead Poisoning

Get Ahead. Get Tested For Lead Before 25 Months Of Age.

Is Your Child at Risk for Lead Poisoning?

Take this quick quiz and find out.

Lead is a metal that can be toxic to humans. It is found in many places, especially in the form of lead dust from paint in older buildings. One of the biggest risk factors for absorbing lead is the age of one's home. That's because over 80 percent of homes built before 1960 contain lead-based paint. This is true whether you live in the city or the country. It is equally true for apartments, private homes or public housing. Both lead from paint chips, which you can see, and lead dust, which you can't always see, pose risks, as does painting over lead-based paint with lead-free paint.

High-level exposure is particularly harmful to children. Answer these four questions to learn if your child is at risk. For a version you can print, click here.

1. Does your child live in (or regularly visit) an apartment or house built before 1960?

   Yes     No     Not Sure

2. Is repair work or remodeling being done in your apartment building or house?

   Yes     No    Not Sure

3. Is major construction underway in your neighborhood?

   Yes    No     Not Sure

4. Do you live near a major highway, bridge or elevated train?

   Yes    No    Not Sure

If you answered "yes" or "not sure" to any of these questions, your child may be at risk for lead exposure. Other possible sources of lead exposure include:

• Lead-glazed ceramics when used to store food or liquids.
• Lead dust from past emissions of lead gasoline.
• Tap water, especially if your home has lead pipes.
• The soil around your home from flaking or chipping paint.
• Lead dust from your job. (If you work in a factory where lead is used, you may be bringing lead dust home on your clothes.)
• Use of traditional remedies such as "greta" or "azarcon."

In addition, children of recent immigrants to this country may have been exposed to lead in their home countries.

HIP and the New York State Department of Health recommend that children be tested for lead exposure at one and two years of age. Since most people with lead poisoning don’t look or act sick, the only way to know if your child has lead poisoning is through a blood lead test. If lead poising is not detected early, children may suffer from brain damage, slowed growth or behavior problems. Speak to your doctor about having your child tested.

For ways you can reduce lead hazards in your home, call the Lead Hotline at:

1-800-424-LEAD (1-800-424-5323).

They offer free booklets in both English and Spanish.