Lead
What is Lead?
Lead is a heavy metal found in the earth's crust. Lead is a natural element that does not break down in the environment and is very hard to clean up. It is used in a wide variety of products to enhance colors and durability.
Where is Lead Found?
Lead can be found as a solid, in dust form, and in water. It can be found in homes built before 1978 due to the use of lead-based paint. Over time, lead paint turns into lead dust. Lead can also be found in larger concentrations in the soil around homes built before 1978. It can also be found in water as a result of lead pipes. Below are lists of other common sources of exposure.
Lead in Work & Hobbies
- Welders
- Painters
- Construction
- Road workers
- Law Enforcement
- Pottery makers
- Stained Glass
- Hunters/Target shooters
- Fishers
Common Sources
- Lead-based paint, varnish, enamel, and glaze
- Keys
- Ammunition
- Fishing Materials
- Cosmetics
- Ceramic & Clay dishware
- Window blinds
- Imported Goods
How does lead affect your health?
Lead can be harmful to anyone. However, children under the age of six are at the greatest risk of being harmed by lead. Their bodies easily absorb lead, which can be bad for the developing brain and other organs and systems. Exposure can happen when children breath lead dust or swallow something containing lead. This can include lead dust in the home, lead in water, and eating paint chips.
For children, low levels of lead in their bodies can be just as harmful as high levels of lead.
Low levels of lead (<10ug/dL) can result in:
- Speech, language, and behavioral and problems
- Lower IQ
- Learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder
- Nervous system damage
Higher levels of lead (>10ug/dL) can result in:
- Coma
- Convulsions
- Mental retardation
- Seizures
- Death
Pregnancy & Lead Poisoning
Unborn babies are also at risk for lead poisoning. A pregnant woman can pass lead on to her unborn child in the womb. This exposure can cause premature birth, low birth weight and small size, miscarriage and stillbirth. A mother with an increased blood lead level (BLL) who breast-feeds can expose her child to lead.
How do I know if my child is lead Poisoned?
Get tested. Call the child’s pediatrician to schedule an appointment. A finger prick is done and results are ready the same day. If the finger prick results are 3.5 ug/dL or higher, then the pediatrician will refer the child to get a blood draw for confirmation. If the blood draw result is also 3.5 ug/dL or higher, then we, the Department of Public Health, will contact the family to schedule a lead inspection/risk assessment of the home. This is a service that is free of charge and done to help the family identify sources of lead.
If you have any questions, please contact us:
North GA Health District
1710 Whitehouse Ct
Dalton, GA 30720
Caroline Hernandez
District Lead Coordinator
706-529-5741 ext. 1061
Flor Mendoza
Regional Lead Coordinator
706-529-5741 ext. 1061