Should You Have Your Child Tested For Lead Poisoning?

  Lead is common in many things:

• Lead-based paint in older homes
• Solder in older plumbing
• Fumes from leaded gas
• Some folk medicines
• Some hobby supplies
• Car batteries

CHILDREN CAN BE EXPOSED TO LEAD BY SWALLOWING OR BREATHING IT IN

Children may not look sick but when they do, the symptoms are often mistaken for other illnesses

EVEN SMALL AMOUNTS OF LEAD IN A CHILD'S BLOOD CAN BE HARMFUL:

• Learning problems
• Coordination problems
• Hearing problems
• Anemia

Children under 6 years old are more easily affected because their brains and other organs are developing.

THE BEST DEFENSE AGAINST LEAD IS PREVENTION AND EARLY DISCOVERY.

The only way to tell for sure is your child has been exposed to lead is to have his blood checked with a simple finger prick and blood test.  Deschutes County Health Department is offering lead testing at low cost for children 6 months to 6 years by appointment.

Children covered by the Oregon Health Plan should be tested through their doctor's office.

REMEMBER, LEAD POISONING IS PREVENTABLE AND TREATABLE!

To arrange an appointment for lead testing, call your doctor or the Health Department