Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

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Family Lead Safety

Lead poisoning is completely preventable. The key is to prevent lead exposure before your family is poisoned. The following are ways to protect your children from lead poisoning.

On this page:

Keep Your Home and Family Lead-Safe

  • Wash children's hands and toys frequently.
  • Paint - Cover old paint that is chipped, flaky or peeling with contact paper. Remove fallen paint chips immediately. Prevent children from chewing on or picking at windowsills and other painted areas.
  • Dust - Mop and wipe floors, windowsills and window frames weekly with warm water and a general all-purpose cleaner.
  • Soil - Do not allow children to play in outdoor areas near a busy street, highway, factory or auto shop. Cover soil around your house with grass, plants, rocks or pavement. Click on one of the following links for more information about lead in paint, dust and soil.  (English)  (Spanish)
  • Toys - Use toys that can be easily washed. Avoid using baby bottles with decals.
  • Candy - Avoid giving children imported candies made with tamarind or chili powder.  
  • Pottery - Do not use handmade or imported pottery and highly decorated dishes for cooking and storing food unless you are certain they are lead free. Cast iron and stainless steel pots are safe to use. Special swabs to test for lead can be purchased at some hardware stores.  Look at this brochure for information about lead in traditional imported pottery (English/Spanish).
  • Home remedies - Only give children doctor-approved medicines. Home Remedies brochure  (English/Spanish) 
  • Nutrition - Give children a healthy diet with foods rich in iron, calcium and vitamin C. A healthy diet helps prevent lead absorption into the body. Click on one of the following links for more information about preventing lead poisoning in your child through nutrition.  (English)  (Spanish)
  • Don't take Lead Home with you! If you work with lead, wash your hands and change your clothes before coming into contact with your loved ones. Click on one of the following links for more information.  (English)  (Spanish)

Well Fed = Less Lead

The Role of Nutrition in Preventing Lead Poisoning

Feed children a healthy diet with foods rich in calcium, iron, and vitamin C (see table below for examples). These nutrients help prevent lead from being absorbed by the body and can also help remove lead from the body. For more information about preventing lead poisoning in your child through nutrition, take a look at these handouts:  English | Spanish

Calcium Sources

Iron Sources

Vitamin C Sources

Milk

Cheese & yogurt

Leafy greens

Broccoli

Eggs

Dried beans

Iron-fortified cereals

Leafy greens

Broccoli

Lean red meats

Corn tortillas

Raisins

Orange juice

Bell peppers

Broccoli

Kiwi

Strawberries

Tomatoes

Explore a variety of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack recipes rich in Calcium, Iron, and Vitamin C- nutrients that help protect children from lead poisoning. Click the links to view or download the recipe book in your preferred language.

English

Spanish