The Pediatric Group, P.A. Lead News

MARK B. LEVIN, M.D.
JOHN M. COTTON, M.D.
TIMOTHY J. PATRICK-MILLER, M.D.
LOUIS J. TESORO, M.D.
HELEN M. ROSE, M.D.

THE PEDIATRIC GROUP, P.A.
66 Mt. Lucas Road, Princeton, N.J. 08540-2733 tel: (609) 924-4892, fax: (609) 921-9380
web: www.pedgroup.com

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From The New Jersey Physician Lead Advisory Committee

In 1995, New Jersey passed a new law to protect children from the dangers of lead poisoning. A new update was passe and signed into law in December, 1997. This law requires physicians and other health care providers to screen all children under 6 years of age with a blood lead test. If your child is under 6 years of age, he/she needs to be tested at 9-12 months of age and again at 24 months of age. Children aged 3-5 years who have never been tested also should be screened at least once. If at any time you and your family are exposed to lead, get tested no matter how old you are.

Lead poisoning is a serious health problem. 37% of homes in New Jersey are lead-contaminated. The most common sources of lead are peeling and chipping paint and dust. Lead-paint chips, and dust with lead in it are found in many old apartments and houses in New Jersey. Infants and toddlers, as part of growing up, put things into their mouths to learn how they taste. This is how many toddlers get lead poisoned. Children with too much lead may not look or act or feel sick. A blood lead test is the only way you can find out if your child is lead poisoned.

If your child has not been screened for lead, please call us to make an arrangements for a blood
lead test. If you have any questions about lead, please talk with us.

Sources of Lead

The most common sources of lead are:

peeling or chipping lead paint
lead dust found in old houses and apartments (old = built before 1960)
lead dust in old homes that are being repaired or remodeled
lead dust on non-glossy vinyl miniblinds NOT made in the USA
lead dust on the clothing and shoes of adults who work in jobs or have hobbies that use lead

Other sources of lead are:
SOIL: Soil may have lead in it from paint that came off old houses. Also, until the
1980s, lead was put in gasoline to make cars run more smoothly. The lead came
out in the exhaust pipe of the car into the air and landed on and stayed in the
ground.

WATER: Drinking water may have lead in it if the pipes it travels through are
old, are held together with lead, or are made with lead.

FOOD: Food may have lead in it if the food was stored in cans sealed with lead,
or if it was kept in pottery, ceramic, or crystal containers made with lead.

FOLK MEDICINE: "Qreta," "Azarcon" and some other home remedies have
lead in them.

COSMETICS & HAIR DYES: Some make-up and hair coloring ingredients may
have lead in them. Read the labels carefully.

TOYS & FURNITURE: If they are old or if they were made outside the USA,
some toys and furniture may be painted with lead paint. Read the label carefully
before you buy anything.

More information on how to remove lead (abatement) from a home can be obtained from the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (telephone 609 292 5666). Call us with any questions.

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