How can I tell if a person is lead poisoned? You can only tell by testing a person’s blood. Since lead leaves the blood over time, you cannot easily tell whether a person was lead poisoned in the past.

Why focus on children six or younger? The body has difficulty telling the difference between lead and calcium. As a result, in children, lead in blood can get into the brain and permanently damage it. Pregnant woman can pass lead to a fetus. Adults and children over six can also be lead poisoned but it takes higher levels. Children under seven are the most vulnerable group.

How many children are lead poisoned in Indiana? No one knows. However, all children eligible for Medicaid must be tested. The state recommends that all children living or playing in property built before 1978 be tested. National averages suggest that 1 in 25 children are lead poisoned. Race and income-levels are also factors.

How do they get lead poisoned? Today, lead dust and lead in soil are the primary sources of lead poisoning. Children playing on the floor get lead dust or contaminated soil in their toys, blankets, clothes and on their hands that they ingest. The lead dust may be invisible. Paint chips can still be a problem but that is less common.

Where does the lead come from? The lead primarily comes from deteriorated lead-based paint. Lead-based paint is most often found on the exterior of the home. This paint has contaminated the soil over the years. Inside, windows and doors are the most likely places to find lead-based paint because the paint was durable. Dust can be found everywhere. The only way to know for sure is to have it checked by a risk assessor or inspector licensed by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.