IPAL: Iowa Parents Against Lead Poisoning

Answer The Following Questions To See If Your Child May Be At Risk For Lead Poisoning:

1. Is your home more than 20 years old (built before 1978) ? If you don't know assume "yes"
2. Is there any peeling or chipping paint inside your home (windows, ceiling, closets) ?
3. Do you have any older carpets in your home?
4. Is there any peeling or chipping in the hallways, entryway, or basements of your building?
5. Does your building have a porch?
6. Is there any peeling or chipping paint on the outside of your building (windows, walls, doors, garage) ?
7. Has there been renovation or repair to your home or building in the past 6 months?
8. Are there any areas or bare dirt in your yard or next to your home?
9. Do you have a dog or cat that goes in and out of your home?
10. Does your child suck on his or her thumb or fingers?
11. Does your child put toys or other objects in his or her mouth?
12. Do any adults at your home work in building repair or renovation?
13. Does your child regularly visit a house with peeling or chipping paint, interior or exterior, built before 1978? This could include day care centers, pre-schools, neighbor's homes, homes of baby-sitters or relatives, etc.
14. Is your child a brother or sister, housemate or playmate of a child being followed or treated for an elevated lead level?
15. Does your child ever eat unusual substances as dirt, ashes, cigarette butts, fishing weights, curtain weights, imported chalk or crayons, colored paper or magazines?
16. Does your child eat food from ceramic dishes/containers or pottery, antique pewter or imported lead soldered cans?
17. Is your child living with or is in contact with an adult who uses folk remedies or herbal medicines?
18. Does your child eat candy that comes from Mexico or southeast Asia?
19. Has your child ever lived in Mexico, Central America, South America, Africa, Asia, or eastern Europe, or visited one of these areas for a period longer than two months?
20. Does your child live near a battery plant, battery recycling plant, or lead smelter?

Lead is dangerous and can cause serious and permanent damage at levels much lower than was thought a few years ago. Small children are more at risk of being lead poisoned because they often put non-food items in their mouths. Lead contaminated objects taste sweet, thus the children will want to continue to put the object in their mouths. The only way to protect your child is to prevent exposure to lead.

Lead can affect the ability of your child to learn. Lead can cause a delay in speech and can result in learning disabilities or behavioral problems. It may also damage a pregnant woman and her unborn child.

A lead poisoned child usually does not look sick! The only way to know if your child is sick is to do a blood test. It is a very important to test toddlers. Your doctor may order a test for your child. Or your local health department will do a test for free.