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Lead is all over the news lately, but how much do you really know? Take this quiz to find out!

What Do You Know About Lead?

Homes built before 1978 are likely to have been painted with lead paint. In the United States, 37.1 million homes (34.9%) have lead-based paint somewhere in the building. What can you do? Clean frequently and make sure paint is not chipping or peeling. Pay special attention to areas around doors and windows.   
The other options above pose risks to smaller numbers of households. Tap water risk is usually from lead pipes (not the water itself).  
Parents should pay attention if a playground is older and has deteriorating lead paint and be aware of soil concerns near roads and highways.
Parents should monitor where toys are from, especially if their children mouth them or there is deterioration of the toy, and parents should NEVER buy the gum-ball machine jewelry that is common in grocery stores. Children ingesting charms and "prizes" from these types of machines have died from lead poisoning.
Source: EPA.gov/lead, HUD.gov

Home Environment

What is the leading cause of lead exposure?

Dust in homes can contain lead from lead-based paint. Lead in soil can be tracked into homes on shoes. What can you do? After playing or working outdoors, don’t walk through the house in your shoes. Instead, leave your shoes at the door or, at least, use door mats. Wash hands frequently and especially upon returning home. Source: EPA.gov/lead

All of the Above

Where is lead commonly found in a child’s environment?

You could bring lead home if you work with lead and/or lead-based paint. For example, people who work with renovation and painting, mining, smelting, battery recycling, refinishing old furniture, autobody, shooting ranges, or farming are at a higher risk. What can you do? Avoid handling food or touching your mouth or face while at work. Wash hands before eating or drinking. Shower and change clothes before getting in the car or coming home. Wash your work and hobby clothes separately from the rest of your family's clothes, and keep all work and hobby tools/materials away from home. Source: EPA.gov/lead

Construction, Factory, or Agricultural Worker

If a parent works as a(n) \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, they should shower and change their clothes before returning home or coming into contact with a child.

Children under six who are old enough to crawl are more likely to be exposed to lead through hand-to-mouth activity. Young children are also more sensitive to lead; their bodies mistake lead for calcium and absorb it into the body. Infants are at a greater risk than elementary and middle school students, especially as they become mobile and begin to explore their environment. Source: http://www.leadpoisoninfo.com/

Toddlers and Preschoolers

Which age group is most at risk?

Lead levels that show up on tests depend on the severity and duration of the exposure. The body releases lead from the body through the blood and urine slowly and steadily over days, weeks and months, but it also stores lead in fatty tissue in the child’s body, most typically in the brain, and stored lead may not be released much over many years.

It Depends

How long will lead exposure show up on a blood test?

Studies have shown higher blood lead levels are associated with lowered IQ, behavior, attention, and learning problems. Childhood lead exposure is linked to increased likelihood of drug abuse, crime, and health problems in adulthood. Source: leadpoisoninfo.com

A Lifetime

How long can the effects of lead exposure last?

There is no safe level of lead for young children. Even a small amount of lead exposure in childhood can lead to a lifetime of effects. Source: leadpoisoninfo.com

False

A little bit of lead in a diet is okay.

No symptoms does not mean no lead poisoning. Lower levels of lead exposure have been shown to have many less easily detected health effects. Source: cdc.gov

If a child seems to be developing properly, there’s no need to worry about lead.

Based on levels defined by the Centers for Disease Control, while a score of 11 mg/dL means your child is considered in the “lead poisoning” range, a score of 5 is considered in the “action range” where troubleshooting should be done to figure out how they are being exposed. In addition, no news does not mean good news, and lead scores cannot be “negative.” You should follow up with your pediatrician to get the exact lead number. If it is not a zero, then steps should be taken to reduce exposure.

Which of these blood lead level test results is concerning?

While vacuuming with devices with appropriate filtration is also a good practice, not all vacuums are helpful. Some, infact, may be harmful, spreading dust from the ground into the air. Washing hands after spending time outdoors and before eating will help reduce exposure. Toys and other items children are around should also be washed regularly.

Washing Hands

What is a healthy habit that has the highest probability of reducing your risk of exposure to lead?

Many people born before 1978 were exposed to lead at much greater levels than what is common today, but researchers say that lead continues to contribute to socio-behavioral problems such as juvenile delinquency and violent crime. Solving today’s lead problem by eliminating lead exposure completely would help individuals and society as a whole. Source: Needleman 2002, Nevin 2000

Cognitive and Behavioral

What long-term effects does early lead exposure have?

Some jobs expose adults to lead, which they can bring home on their clothes, shoes, skin and hair. People employed in lead smelting, metal foundries, battery manufacturing, salvage, radiator repair, painting, and construction are at greatest risk for exposure to dangerous levels of lead... potters, welders, electricians, boat builders, and weapons buffs and those who plate metals, formulate or use paint, dyes, inks, and glazes are also at risk. Schools are not immune either, as USA Today reports. Source: NRDC.org

Besides the home, which environment(s) might pose a threat?

Homes in the Northeast and Midwest homes are most likely to have lead service lines for water and deteriorating lead in paint. Opening and closing windows near lead paint can cause more lead dust in a home, which may be more common in areas where air conditioning isn’t as common, and people are more likely to open windows to cool down a home. Source: www2.erie.gov/health, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

New England and the Midwest

What regions of the country are most at risk?

Pica is a disorder in which a person eats typically inedible or non-nutritive substances such as sand or paper. This disorder often increases lead absorption in young children, especially if their environment has a high lead content. Even small amounts of lead exposure increases symptoms in some individuals with ADHD or those who are genetically prone to ADHD. Delayed motor and language skills can be another symptom of lead exposure. Source: reseachgate.net, www.ohsu.edu

Pica, Hyperactivity or Language Delays

Which of these behaviors should trigger a conversation with your pediatrician about possible lead exposure?

The longer that water has been sitting in the pipes, the more lead it may contain. If water hasn’t been run through a faucet for six or more hours (like overnight), flush your pipes by running the water until it becomes as cold as it will get….Usually, this will take 30 seconds to two minutes; sometimes, this may take as long as 5 minutes. Boiling water will NOT get rid of lead contamination. Source: www.epa.gov/your-drinking-water

30 seconds to 2 minutes

If you have lead pipes, how long should you run your faucet for before using the water?

Workers have the right to be safe in their workplaces. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Act) requires that workers are protected from lead exposure, including those who work in general industry (1910.1025), shipyards (1915.1025), or construction (1926.62). Doctors should provide guidance on childhood lead poisoning prevention and assessment of the risk of lead poisoning. Landlords’ legal responsibilities vary from state to state...Know your rights, so you can know your risk. Find out more from your state health department. Source: osha.gov, cdc.gov

Who can help you assess your risk and prevent exposure?

Guidance on childhood lead poisoning prevention and assessment of the risk of lead poisoning should be part of routine pediatric care. Source: CDC.gov

If you’re concerned about lead, what should you do?

Uh-oh...You didn't do so well this time. Time to brush up on your lead knowledge! Study up and come back to redeem yourself by retaking our quiz!  
We hope you learned something valuable that you can share with your family and friends. Remember: parents are children’s best advocates--initiate conversations with your doctor, speak with your schools and child care centers, and educate your child about possible dangers. Do you have more questions? Call the National Lead Hotline: 1-800-424-LEAD or check out resources available online through epa.gov and cdc.gov.  
This quiz was made by the Center for Policy, Data, and Research at National Head Start Association. We'd like to thank to the doctors and researchers involved in the creation of this quiz: Stacey Neuharth-Pritchett, PhD of the University of Georgia; Jody Nicholson, PhD of the University of North Florida; Sean Palfrey, MD of Boston Medical Center; and Marisa Schlieber, PhD of Southern Utah University.

Participation Award

Thanks for taking our quiz! We hope you learned something valuable that you can share with your family and friends. Remember: parents are children’s best advocates--initiate conversations with your doctor, speak with your schools and child care centers, and educate your child about possible dangers. Do you have more questions? Call the National Lead Hotline: 1-800-424-LEAD or check out resources available online through epa.gov and cdc.gov.  
This quiz was made by the Center for Policy, Data, and Research at National Head Start Association. We'd like to thank to the doctors and researchers involved in the creation of this quiz: Stacey Neuharth-Pritchett, PhD of the University of Georgia; Jody Nicholson, PhD of the University of North Florida; Sean Palfrey, MD of Boston Medical Center; and Marisa Schlieber, PhD of Southern Utah University.

Bronze Medal

Silver Medal

Wow! You know it all, and you've definitely earned your bragging rights today! Time to share your results and challenge your friends!  
We hope you learned something valuable that you can share with your family and friends. Remember: parents are children’s best advocates--initiate conversations with your doctor, speak with your schools and child care centers, and educate your child about possible dangers. Do you have more questions? Call the National Lead Hotline: 1-800-424-LEAD or check out resources available online through epa.gov and cdc.gov.  
This quiz was made by the Center for Policy, Data, and Research at National Head Start Association. We'd like to thank to the doctors and researchers involved in the creation of this quiz: Stacey Neuharth-Pritchett, PhD of the University of Georgia; Jody Nicholson, PhD of the University of North Florida; Sean Palfrey, MD of Boston Medical Center; and Marisa Schlieber, PhD of Southern Utah University.

Gold Medal

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What Do You Know About Lead?

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