Lead Issues for Babies, Children and Pregnant Women

Children who have elevated blood lead levels may have a range of serious health and behaviour problems, including lowered IQ scores; poor fine motor skills, reaction time, and co-ordination; and slowed growth. Aggressive and hasty behaviour and hearing problems may make learning problems and school performance worse. It has been found that even low levels of lead can have a serious effect on children.
 
Pregnant women and children up to five years of age are the groups most at risk. Lead can readily stay in and cross the placenta at levels less than 10 micrograms per decilitre (ug/dL) and has been seen in early births, low birth weights and still births. Young children, especially less than three years of age, are a high-risk group because they put their fingers in their mouth, often eating the lead. They absorb more lead than adults (up to 50% of that consumed, compared to 10% for adults) and their developing brain is more susceptible to environmental hazards such as lead.

Why worry about babies and lead?

Children absorb more lead from the same exposure than adults. All of a child's body systems are growing and developing rapidly. Exposure to lead can affect children by causing learning, behavioural and attention problems, hearing loss and slowed growth.

How does the lead enter a child's body?

Babies are born with their mother's blood lead level. From about 30-42 days a baby will develop its own blood lead level. From about 6-9 months of age when babies start to crawl they are at a greater risk of lead exposure from the environment.

Lead enters the body either through the lungs or most commonly through the mouth. Children can accidentally swallow lead when they put fingers, toys or other objects into their mouths that have come into contact with lead bearing dust. Accidentally swallowing lead can happen through normal behaviours such as crawling and hand to mouth activity. Fine particles of lead are present in house dust, dirt and old paint.

What can a parent do?

Always use a clean rug when placing your newborn on the floor. Wash dummies that have been dropped on the floor before placing them back in your child's mouth.

As your child begins to crawl and stand, try to make the areas they touch (such as windowsills and floors) as free of dust as possible. Your child will now be eating a more varied diet. Try to include foods that are low in fat and rich in iron and calcium. Frequent, small meals are important. Always remember to wash your child's hands before meals, after play and before bedtime.

As your child learns to walk, they may be spending more time outdoors. Minimise your child's contact with dirt by covering bare soil areas and maintain the painted surfaces in your home. Covered sand pits are safe places for children to play.

Be 'Lead-Smart' around babies                   

• Wash your hands before preparing formula, feeding or handling a baby.
• Dropped bottles and dummies should be cleaned before returning to baby.
• Keep a spare clean dummy in a sealed container.
• Do not leave baby under an open window.
• Before laying baby on the floor, put down a clean rug or blanket.
• Wash baby toys and play things regularly.
• Wash baby clothes separately from other family clothing.
• When doing a dirty or potentially lead-hazardous job, do not cuddle a baby until you have showered, washed your hair and changed your clothes.
• Keep prams, car seats and capsules as clean and as dust free as possible.
• Try not to push baby into the wind when out walking.

Housekeeping

• Do not vacuum while baby is in the room.
• Wash floor rugs and blankets regularly.
• Keep drying time on line to a minimum.
• Reduce dust and dirt entering your home by leaving shoes outside.
• Keep pets outside because their fur traps dust. If you do have a pet that comes indoors, wash them frequently and keep them away from the baby.