Lead Poisoning Prevention Guidance for Parents and Caregivers

Lead dust can be anywhere. It can be in the home, outside in the soil, or even on hands, toys and other objects that children put in their mouths. People who are exposed to lead might not look or feel sick.

Lead can cause serious and long-lasting health problems – especially for babies, young children and during pregnancy – that affect children’s growth, behavior, and the ability to learn. In 2023, lead was found in over 1,000 Vermont children under 6 years old.

The only way to know is to test for lead, and we are here to help with any next steps.

What You Can Do

1. Get your child tested for lead at 1 and 2 years old.

Talk to your child’s doctor about testing for lead with a quick blood test at their 1- and 2-year-old well child visits. This test uses a small amount of blood taken from a finger, heel or toe. If you have recently moved to the United States, children ages 6 months through 16 years should get a lead test when you arrive, and another test three to six months later. Learn more about your child’s lead test

2. If lead is detected, you may need to have your child tested again.

Your child’s doctor may recommend a second test that uses blood from a vein (often in the arm). This test result is more accurate. Depending on the results, a Health Department employee will call to talk about how your child might be exposed to lead and offer a free home visit.

3. Protect your child from lead exposure.

Learn more below about common sources of lead in the home and environment, and how to protect your family from lead. You may be able to get help to pay for fixing lead problems in your home or water system. Learn more about financial assistance programs.

Let little Emmett show you how quick and easy lead testing is!

Common Sources of Lead Exposure

Babies and young children commonly come in contact with lead by swallowing it. Lead dust or soil clings to hands, toys and objects that children put in their mouths. They may eat, chew or suck on lead-painted objects — such as windowsills, toys or furniture. Babies and young children are at highest risk because their developing bodies absorb lead more easily.

Lead paint

Dust from lead-based paint is the major source of lead poisoning among children. Children can be poisoned by lead in their own home, at child care or in a caretaker's home.

Any home built before 1978 likely has lead-based paint in it. In 1978, lead was banned from house paint, but about 60% of Vermont homes were built before 1978.

Over time, lead paint on surfaces crumbles into invisible dust — especially from opening and closing doors and windows — that contaminates homes and soil. Even if the home has been repainted since 1978, the opening and closing of doors and windows can release lead dust from the original lead-based paint.

Home repairs or renovations can also create lead dust that can harm children and people who are pregnant.

Soil

Soil can become contaminated with lead from different sources, like peeling housepaint, old deposits from car exhaust when leaded gasoline was used, and industrial sources like lead battery manufacturing plants or brass foundries. The common places where lead is found in soil are alongside homes built before 1978 and near roads and driveways.

Drinking water

Lead gets into drinking water as it moves through lead or galvanized iron pipes and fittings, lead solder, and brass or chrome fixtures.

You cannot see, smell or taste lead. Testing is the only way to know if lead is in your drinking water. Find out how to test your water for lead.

Jobs or hobbies

Lead can also come from your job or hobbies — such as auto body work, painting or scraping paint, making stained glass, or casting lead toys, sinkers or bullets. If you work with lead, we recommend that you get a blood lead test and discuss the results with your health care provider.

Learn about other lead hazards and how to prevent lead poisoning

How to Prevent Lead Poisoning

Maintain

Check for chipping, peeling, cracked or disturbed paint.
Install window well inserts to provide a smooth cleaning surface.
Use lead-safe work practices – such as wet sanding and wet scraping.

Clean

Use only a vacuum with a HEPA filter, and vacuum slowly.
Wet mop floors and use wet disposable towels on windowsills and surfaces.
Leave shoes at the door to avoid tracking in soil that contains lead.
Wash children’s toys often to remove invisible lead dust.
Wash children’s hands often, especially before meals, naps and bedtime.

Eat healthy

Serve children fruits, vegetables and dairy products, as well as iron-rich foods.
Plant vegetable and other food gardens in lead-free soil.
Serve snacks and meals to children at the table or in their highchairs.

Watch out for other sources of lead

Lead can also be found in soil, water, and products, such as keys, toys, and antiques.
Have your drinking water tested for lead.
Run water until cold for cooking, drinking and making formula.
Keep children from playing in bare soil near roadways and older houses.
Do not let children play with metal keys.
Do not store food in open cans or pottery.
Keep children away from certain hobbies, like making bullets or stained glass.
Be aware of products that have been recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Health Effects of Lead Poisoning

Children

The harm done by lead may never go away. Too much lead in the body, or lead poisoning, in children can:

Hurt the brain, kidneys and nervous system
Slow down growth and development
Make it hard to learn
Damage hearing and speech
Cause behavior problems

See how lead poisoning damages the brain (PBS)

Pregnant people and adults

In people who are pregnant, lead can increase the risk of miscarriage and cause babies to be born too early, too small, or with learning or behavior problems. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your health care provider about whether you should be tested for lead.

In adults, the symptoms of lead poisoning may include stomach discomfort, constipation, loss of appetite, headache, muscle and joint pain, tiredness, irritability or anxiety, and high blood pressure.