Children are exposed to many different elements and can easily be exposed to hazards materials in everyday items. Lead poisoning is the most common form of heavy metal poisoning among children. Young children tend to be exposed to lead because of their play at this stage can consist of putting toys in their mouth or touching items with lead dust then putting their hands in their mouth. Many toys and jewelry might contain some lead paint or dust that children can be exposed to.
Lead exposure in children is particularly dangerous as it can be harmful to their development. With prolonged exposure to lead, they can develop learning disabilities or behavioral problems.
Where to find lead
Lead is can commonly be found in toys from their parts and their paint. Lead based products are often commonly found in imported toys. Toy jewelry and antique toys have a higher chance of containing high levels of lead. Toy jewelry is most likely to contain parts made of lead or painted with lead and antique toys would have not gone through the regulations that are set on new toys.
Today, there are safety and health regulations in place to limit the amount of lead products used in children’s toys. CPSIA regulations limit the level of lead in toys to 100 parts per million. Additionally, paint or outer coatings of products can only have up to 90 parts per million of lead. However, some toys such as bicycles and electronics, do not undergo the same regulations since it is necessary to use lead to make such products.
It is important to also be aware of any recalls of toys or children’s products. Lead is one of the most common reasons for recalls in children’s products.
Symptoms
Lead poisoning in children often occurs through acute poisoning. Acute poisoning is being exposed through a large amount of the metal in a short period of time such as when a child might swallow a toy made of lead paint. You will likely see symptoms quickly such as vomiting, nauseas, and headaches.
However, chronic poisoning can also occur if you are not aware of the amount of lead your child is exposed to. This type of poisoning occurs when your child is exposed to a small amount of lead but for a longer and prolonged amount of time. Symptoms for this can be hard to distinguish but will likely have long term effects such as issues with their development. Learning and behavioral issues might occur if the exposure is prolonged and undetected.
Treatment and Prevention
If you believe your child has been exposed to lead through their toys, it is important to get rid of those toys immediately. You may also want to test your child for heavy metal poisoning right away. In order to prevent further exposure to lead based products, be sure to regularly check lead recall lists for toys. Additionally, try to not buy off brand toys as they may have not gone through the same regulations as higher quality toys. Antique or older toys are also potentially dangerous as they are much more likely to have higher levels of lead in their paint or materials because production and regulations in the past did not take lead exposure as seriously.
Taking careful precaution when purchasing toys for your children can help prevent them from being exposed to harmful metals such as lead, which can lead to long term developmental issues.
