How to Avoid Lead Exposure at Home

Clean and cover any chalking, flaking, or chipping paint. You can apply a new coat of paint or use duct tape or contact paper. Be especially careful of windows and window sills as opening and closing windows send leaded dust into the air. Contact your local department of health about lead hazard abatement if you live in an old dwelling, especially if the paint is chipped or peeling. Wells are another potential source of lead.

If your house was built before1960 and has hard-surface floors, wet mop them at least once a week with a high-phosphate solution (5 to 8 percent phosphate-check the label or buy trisodium phosphate in a hardware store).

If your home was built before 1960 or is near a major highway, plant grass or other ground cover, plant bushes around the outside of the house so that the exterior paint is not accessible.

Avoid eating paint or dirt do not put your hands in your mouth if you have paint or dirt on them. Wash children's hands and faces before they eat; wash toys and pacifiers frequently .

Store food in glass, stainless steel, or plastic containers, rather than ceramic or lead cans. Never store food in open cans, especially if they are imported.

Do not use ceramic pottery for food if it was inadequately fired or is meant for decorative use only. Imported glazed ceramics may contain lead and should not be used for food storage, If you make pottery, use lead-free glazes,

Do not use leaded crystal for food storage over long periods of time, Do not use leaded crystal to hold baby formula or juices, Do not use lead-soldered tea pots,

Do not use lead solders to repair food containers or to make or repair cooking utensils.

If the lead content of your water exceeds the drinking water standard , use only fully flushed water from the cold-water tap for drinking, cooking, and infant formula, This means running the water every morning for 2 minutes before using it.

Do not burn lead-painted wood in home stoves or fireplaces.

This generates lead fumes and lead-contaminated ashes that con taminate backyard soil.

If you have a home garden and are concerned about the amount of lead in the soil used for the food you grow, contact your state department of agriculture about testing the food,

If you or anyone in your household works in an occupation listed in the box above, make sure your skin and clothes are free from dust before going home. Wash your hands and face and change clothing if possible before leaving work.

As lead is absorbed most efficiently from an empty stomach, eat regularly and make sure your children eat regularly.

Make sure your diet and your children's diet contain plenty of iron and calcium, which help protect against lead absorption.