Activity 1:

Lead Dust from peeling paint, burning painted wood, and home renovations Lead-Based Paint from older homes, older furniture, and painted toys Lead-based paint is a hazard if it is peeling, chipping, chalking, or cracking. The older your home is, the more likely it is to contain lead-based paint. Lead in drinking water from lead pipes and solder in home plumbing. Other lead sources. Lead can leach into food or beverages stored in imported ceramics or pottery and leaded crystal and china. Certain hobbies use products with lead in them (fishing sinkers, stained glass, ceramics). Lead can be found in some folk remedies, "health foods" and cosmetics.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is aware of a problem associated with lead contamination of some Mexican candy products being sold in the United States or brought in from Mexico.  Parents should not allow children to eat these products. FDA has compiled information which indicates that candies and related products that contain significant amounts of chili powder may contain higher lead levels than other types of candy, such as candy that contains predominantly sugar. Examples of chili containing products include lollipops coated with chili and powdery mixtures of salt, lemon flavor and chili seasoning sold as a snack item.

Young children:  There are many different health effects associated with elevated blood lead levels. Young children under the age of six are especially vulnerable to lead's harmful health effects, because their brains and central nervous system are still being formed. For them, even very low levels of exposure can result in: reduced IQ learning disabilities attention deficit disorders behavioral problems, stunted growth impaired hearing kidney damage. At high levels of exposure, a child may become mentally retarded, fall into a coma, and even die from lead poisoning.

Adults:  In adults, lead can: increase blood pressure and cause fertility problems nerve disorders, muscle and joint pain, irritability memory or concentration problems. It takes a significantly greater level of exposure of lead for adults than it does for kids to sustain adverse health effects.

When a pregnant woman has an elevated blood lead level, that lead can easily be transferred to the fetus, as lead crosses the placenta.

Common symptoms of lead poisoning in children:	Common symptoms of lead poisoning in adults:
Decreased appetite Stomach ache Sleeplessness Learning problems Constipation Vomiting Diarrhea Tiredness Lowered I.Q. Anemia	Fatigue Depression Heart failure Abdominal pain Gout Kidney failure High blood pressure Wrist or food weakness Reproductive problems Anemia

Wash your child's hands frequently. Use cold water for drinking, cooking or making baby formula.  Let it run for 2 minutes before using to reduce lead from pipes. Stop your child from eating paint chips, and placing hands or toys in their mouth. Wet mop daily using a powered dishwashing detergent.
Cover cracking or flaking surfaces with a cloth or contact paper until the paint can be removed from a professional permanently.  Don't remove lead paint yourself! Get your child tested for lead poisoning.  It's the only way to know. Store foods in plastic or glass containers, not opened metal cans. Eat well-balanced meals that are high in iron and calcium and low in fat!

Choose Foods High in Iron: Chicken, turkey, liver, lean beef Dried beans or peas Iron fortified cereals Potatoes with skin Green leafy vegetables Raisins, nuts, and seeds Eggs

Choose Foods High in Calcium:

Milk, cheese, yogurt Green leafy vegetables Ice milk, hot chocolate, or pudding Calcium fortified orange juice

Choose Foods High in Vitamin C:

Citrus Fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, tangerines Strawberries, cantaloupe, tomatoes, potatoes Juices such as orange juice, grapefruit, lemonade Green leafy vegetables Bell peppers

 

Limit Foods High in Fats and Oils

Butter, Oil Bacon, Sausage, Lard Fried foods Potato chips

 

Which WIC Office do you go to?

Bullhead City
Kingman
Lake Havasu City

Where are you taking today's lesson?
WIC Office Own computer Family Friends Work Library Other

        

Congratulations!!!

 

You have completed the lesson on “Lead Poisoning”.  If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail one of our nutritionists.  We’ll be glad to answer any of your questions.

In Kingman you may contact a Nutritionist at kngnutr@co.mohave.az.us
In Bullhead City you may contact a Nutritionist at bhcnutr@co.mohave.az.us
In Lake Havasu City you may contact a Nutritionist at lhcnutr@co.mohave.az.us

Activity 2:

1.d. All of the above 2. a. Children are at greatest risk.

Activity 3:

1. False.  Symptoms of lead poisoning are often subtle. 2. True 3. True 4. Iron, Calcium, and Vitamin C 5. Any of the following: Wash your child's hands frequently. Use cold water for drinking, cooking or making baby formula.  Let it run for 2 minutes before using to reduce lead from pipes. Stop your child from eating paint chips, placing hands or toys in their mouth. Wet mop daily using a powered dishwashing detergent. Cover cracking or flaking surfaces with a cloth or contact paper until the paint can be removed from a professional permanently.  Don't remove lead paint yourself! Get your child tested for lead poisoning.  It's the only way to know. Store foods in plastic or glass containers, not opened metal cans. Eat well-balanced meals that are high in iron and calcium and low in fat!