Household dust is a common lead source for young children. The dust can contain lead from deteriorated, interior lead-based paint or tracked-in, contaminated soil. Lead dust can be created during home remodeling or renovation projects or when lead-based paint is not removed in a lead-safe way. Your house can look clean and still have lead in it. A child can breathe in or eat this dust.
- Keep your home as dust-free as possible. Wet wash window wells, sills, and floors with a cleaning solution of household detergent. Mix the household detergent according to the directions on the container. Be sure to use two buckets - one bucket for the cleaning solution and one for the clean rinse water. Use separate sets of disposable rags or paper towels - one set for the wash step and one for the rinse step.
- Wash your child’s hands with soap and water before eating, naps, and bedtime.
- Wash bottles, teething rings, and toys with soap and water.
- Do not allow children to play or eat around window areas in older homes.
- Adults working in jobs with lead should shower and change clothes and shoes before coming home. This includes painters, remodelers, workers in smelters, battery plants, and radiator or auto body shops.
- Clothes worn at work should not be washed with other clothes. Clean work clothes separately from other clothing. Run the rinse cycle once before using the washer again.
- Keep windows closed on windy days so that lead-contaminated soil does not get into the house.
Many folk remedies contain lead and should not be used. Please talk to your doctor if you are using any of the following folk remedies that may contain lead:
- alarcon
- alkohl
- azarcon
- bali gali
- bint al zahab
- cora
- greta
- farouk
- ghasard
- kandu
- kohl
- liga
- lozeena
- pay-loo-ah
- surma