Risks to Children in Lead Exposure

Hand-me-down cribs and garage-sale toys made before the 1978 ban on lead
paint have long raised concern among parents. The recent recall of toys by
El Segundo-based Mattel Inc., the nation's largest toy maker, poses new
questions. Department of Public Health officials offer some answers.

Why are children so vulnerable to lead poisoning?
Because young children are growing so rapidly, they become virtual sponges
for lead, absorbing 50% of the lead they ingest, compared with 10%
absorption for adults. A further risk is that the blood-brain barrier, which
protects adult brains from many toxic substances, isn't fully developed in
children, making it easier for lead to affect the brain and the central
nervous system.
Exposure to large amounts of lead can cause mental retardation, and even
coma and death. Smaller exposures are also of concern. "The problems can be
subtle," said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, professor of health services and
pediatrics at UCLA. "The concern that we increasingly have is that
relatively low levels of lead exposure can lead to reductions in IQ and in
learning disabilities and behavioral problems."

How are children exposed to lead?
About 70% of cases of lead poisoning in the county are caused by paint. Lead
paint has been outlawed for nearly 30 years but may be underneath newer
paint in older homes. If the paint flakes and chips, it could end up as dust
on floors where children play. Or the dust from remodeling can contain lead.
A parent who works in construction or who makes ceramics can bring lead home
on clothing.

How much risk might there be in the toys that were recalled?
"Picture how children play with toys," said Dr. Cyrus Rangan, director of
the toxics epidemiology program at the county health department. They put
them in their mouths, he said. Their hands get sweaty, and sweaty palms can
leach lead from the paint onto their hands, which they then put in their
mouths. "We don't know how much lead is in the paint in the toys," he said.
"But the point is to minimize exposure wherever you can. At this point, I
would highly doubt that children playing with Mattel toys are lead
poisoned."

How can I tell if the toys in my home have lead in the paint?
Two testing products, LeadCheck Swabs and Lead Inspector, can be purchased
in many hardware stores, said Deborah Reff, manager of the health education
unit of the childhood lead poisoning program at the county health
department. A chemical in the kits changes color when exposed to lead. They
can be used on dishes, pottery, toys and jewelry. The kits indicate the
presence of lead but not the amount. The best way to test for lead, is to
send samples to a laboratory. [LAT]