Children have an increased risk of lead poisoning because of their rapid growth and likelihood to come into contact with contaminated substances. More than 250,000 U.S. children aged 1 to 5 years have elevated blood levels of lead. Lead poisoning may occur through several routes in the environment, particularly dust, paint, soil, water and leaching of cookware. .
Dangers
Lead is not efficiently removed from the body. In chronic exposures, the element tends to accumulate in the body and leaves slowly over a period of years. Lead poisoning typically occurs through exposure to paint containing lead or to contaminated soil or water. Children are at higher risk because they tend to put objects in their mouth and may ingest paint chips, dirt or dust containing lead.
Symptoms
Lead poisoning during fetal development or during infancy up to 5 years of age may cause permanent brain damage and impaired brain development. Learning disorders and behavioral problems are common signs of lead poisoning. These may go unnoticed until the child begins school. Fatigue, pale skin, constipation, low appetite, irritability and sleep disorders are other typical symptoms. The severity of lead poisoning symptoms depend on the frequency and concentration of lead exposure. A child with severe lead poisoning may experience vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, weakness, clumsiness, mental confusion, seizures and coma.
Apple Cider
There is one medical report of a child developing lead poisoning from drinking apple cider. However, it is important to note that the cider itself was not the source of the lead. In this case, the child's family produced their own cider on an apple farm and the child had consumed approximately 1 liter daily for four years. The cider was produced in a maple syrup evaporator, and follow-up chemical testing revealed that the solder used in the evaporator was positive for lead.
Prevention
The key to preventing lead poisoning is to eliminate sources of possible exposure from your child's environment. If you live in a house with paint from 1978 or earlier, you should investigate possibilities for lead paint removal. Temporary barriers such as duct tape can prevent your young child from chewing on the affected areas. Do not use containers, cookware or tableware to prepare foods or liquids that are not shown to be lead free.
