Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County and the Tompkins County Health Department work closely together to provide Lead Poisoning Prevention Education and Lead Screening for the residents of Tompkins County.

Background Information Who’s At Risk Lead Testing Prevention Identifying Lead Sources Unusual Sources of Lead Poisoning Safe Reduction Techniques Hiring A Contractor Contractors with Training on Lead-Based      Paint Hazards Resource List - Publications/ Videos Other Web Sites

Background Information Before we knew how harmful it could be, lead was used in paint, gasoline, water pipes, and many other products. As a result lead can now be found in the dust in some homes, in paint, in soil around our homes, in drinking water, and in some dishes and pottery. The greatest exposure to lead in our current environment is the lead-based paint found in older homes. Before the 1970’s, household paint often contained lead, especially the paints used for trim areas such as windows, doors, and railings. As the paint ages, it can chip or crumble into dust. Remodeling projects also increase the amount of exposure as the paint is disturbed. Lead poisoning occurs when an individual breathes or ingests the lead. The lead then enters the blood and accumulates in the body over time. Continual exposure causes the levels of lead in the body to increase causing symptoms of lead poisoning to develop gradually. By the time physical symptoms are visible the amount of lead in the body has reached a dangerous level. Return to Contents Who’s At Risk Children under the age of six and pregnant women are most at risk because of the dangers of lead poisoning to the developing neurological system. Construction workers, painters, home renovators, and hobbyists who are exposed to high levels of lead are also in danger. Return to Contents

Lead Testing The only way to know if a child has been exposed to lead somewhere in his/her environment is to have his/her blood level tested. This is done with a simple finger prick test. In New York State physicians are required to test children at their one-year and two-year well child checkups. Other children and adults should be tested any time there has been a known exposure to lead. Pregnant women are also tested as a protection to their fetus. The testing can be done by a private physician and is often covered by health insurance companies. The Tompkins County Health Department offers lead screening tests on a sliding fee schedule. Individuals who qualify for food stamps or Headstart can have their children under the age of 6 years tested without a charge. Call 274-6604 for details. Return to Contents

Prevention Lead poisoning is a totally preventable illness. By identifying sources and then removing or enclosing those sources, lead poisoning can be prevented. Exposure to lead dust can be controlled or managed. In the case of a home with young children the chipping lead paint should be covered or removed. Children’s hands should be washed frequently and especially before eating. Workers exposed to lead paint and dust should wear special protective clothing that is left at the work site. For more information on ways to prevent lead poisoning see the Resource List. Return to Contents

Identifying Lead Sources Lead can be found in the paint in and on the exterior of older homes. It can also be found in the soil around our homes, in old water pipes, and some pieces of pottery. In July 1996 lead dust was found to be coming from deteriorating mini blinds. (For specifics request the information piece - Lead in Mini Blinds - from the Resource List.)  Many other unusual or less common sources of lead have also been identified. The only way to know for sure if paint, water, soil, or dishes are lead-contaminated is to test them. There are 3 ways to accomplish this:    1.  One is to use a relatively inexpensive home lead test kit available at most paint and hardware stores. These are considered somewhat unreliable and may give a false negative.    2. The second is to take a chip or sample to a New York State Certified Laboratory. When many different surfaces of a room or building are being tested, it is advisable to hire a certified Lead Risk Assessor or Lead Inspector to assure proper sampling technique is being used.    3. The third is to have an on-site inspection and testing done using an XRF (X-ray fluorescence) tester. For more information about these options, call 272-2292 or order from the Resource List. Return to Contents

Unusual Sources of Lead Please check these websites for updated lists of toys and other consumer products recalled for lead hazards: NYS Dept of Health,  Consumer Product Safety Commission, or Recalls.gov Some of the following unusual sources of lead have been implicated in known cases of lead poisoning, while others have been identified as potential sources of lead poisoning: Old toys and furniture (made before 1978) painted with lead-based paint. Also check the government recall website, www.recalls.gov, for new toys that have been found to contain lead hazards.   Mini-blinds (imported, vinyl, non-glossy varieties).     ( As they age, lead dust can be released. Look for label saying, “non-leaded” or “no lead added” before purchasing. ) Lead in soil.     ( Lead may come from paint chips that have flaked off older homes, or leaded gasoline exhaust from cars.  When children play in the soil, the lead clings to their hands, toys, etc. See "Children, Gardens, and Lead.") Porcelain bathtubs.      (Lead leaches into the water causing risk of lead poisoning to young children who often drink or ingest bath water from fingers or bathtub toys. ) Ceramic glazed dishes and cups, especially older or handmade items and Mexican terra cotta pottery.     ( Some glazes contain lead, which can contaminate food and beverages. ) Lead crystal.      (Can contaminate food and drinks stored in it. ) Pewter dishes/ food storage containers.      (The lead in pewter can contaminate food and beverages. ) Crayons imported from China.      (Hazard comes from eating or chewing on these lead-containing crayons. ) Lead used for hobbies – leaded glass, ceramic glazes—and lead from the work environment can be brought home on clothes, shoes, etc. Metal toy jewelry sold in vending machines.      (In 2004, 150 million pieces of toy jewelry from India were recalled, including rings, necklaces and bracelets. Since then, many other recalls of inexpensive metal charms and jewelry have taken place. When young children mouth or swallow these items, they are at risk of lead poisoning. ) Please check the Recall website for updated information. Garden hoses.      (Many hoses contain lead and should not be used for drinking unless specifically labeled “safe for drinking”. ) Folk remedies containing lead, such as greta, azarcon, alarcon, coral, luiga, maria luisa, or rueda.      (Used to treat upset stomach in Hispanic and Asian communities. ) Chapulines (grasshoppers) from Mexico, eaten as snack food.     (Usually seasoned, sold in small unlabeled bags at Hispanic food stores or flea markets; some have been found   to be highly contaminated with lead. ) Cosmetic products, sindoor, kohl, kajal, al-kahl or surma, imported from India, Pakistan, Middle Eastern countries.      (Not intended for consumption, but product may be inadequately labeled. Lead can also be absorbed from mucous membranes or hands may transmit lead to food. Have been implicated in cases of severe lead poisoning.) Skin product, called Litargirio, from the Dominican Republic.      (Nearly 80% lead, this powder may be used as a deodorant/antiperspirant, foot powder, or used to treat fungal skin infections and burns. ) Home remedy, called Pay loo ah.      (This is a red powder used to treat rashes and fever, and also contains lead. ) Certain imported candies, especially from Mexico.      (Dulmex-brand Bolirindo lollipops, tamarind candy, and candies flavored with chili powder have been found to contain unacceptable amounts of lead, but many others have been found to also contain lead. ) Lead-lined boxes used to store dental radiograph film in dental offices.      (Patients who are x-rayed with film stored in these older storage boxes are exposed to a substantial amount of lead. ) Dietary Calcium supplements.      (Some supplements have been found to contain unacceptable levels of lead.) Candlewicks (imported).      (When leaded wicks burn, they release poisonous fumes that can be inhaled and may also leave a toxic dust. ) Household electrical, telephone, and computer cords.      (Lead has been found on the hands of individuals handling these cords and can be ingested, with greatest risk to young children.) Sidewalk chalk.      (Multicolored sidewalk chalk manufactured in China was found to contain high levels of lead in 2003.   Package labeled “Double Dipp'n Fun” and sold at Target stores.) Soft vinyl lunch boxes with children's characters.       (The highest lead levels were found in the lining of lunch boxes, where lead could come into direct contact with food. Children may be exposed to lead when they eat food that has been stored in them or by handling the lunchboxes just before eating. (Aug, 2005)) Fishing sinkers, curtain weights.       (Contain large amounts of lead; accidental ingestion results in lead poisoning.) Pool cue chalk.       (May contain lead.) Gemco® Lemonade Jars.    (See www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml07/07053.html)     (The six-sided glass jar with a round glass lid has a metal spigot at the bottom of the jar which contains lead and is in direct contact with the contents of the lemonade jar. Lemonade and other beverages can cause the lead to leach from the spigot. ) The coating on the snaps of certain children's clothing. One recall involved “Starting Out Shirt and Overalls”, by Samara Brothers and sold at Dillard's in 2006.      (See www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml07/07516.html) Metal key chains sold at Dollar General Stores.   (See www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml07/07145.html ) Return to Contents

Safe Reduction Techniques If lead-based paint has been identified, it is essential that special precautions be taken to ensure the safety of the occupants of the home and the persons doing the work.  Occupants, especially pregnant women and children, should be relocated during the project.  Workers should wear protective clothing and equipment.  Appropriate testing should be done AFTER the project is completed to be sure the lead dust has been adequately removed from the work area. For more information on safe abatement and management techniques and equipment and suppliers of the needed equipment see the Resource List or call 272-2292. Return to Contents

Hiring A Contractor At the current time New York State has not enacted a certification program for contractors, assessors, or inspectors. Therefore, when hiring a contractor to deal with lead in your home, it is essential that you know what should be done to safely remove the lead based paint.   Ask the contractor for details on how the job will be done and what precautions will be taken, and how cleanup and follow-up testing will be done. Contractors may have taken a lead abatement certification course from Maryland or Connecticut or an EPA-certified course. Be sure to ask to see the certification information. "Certification" by the manufacturer of the equipment the contractor is using does NOT indicate adequate training has been received. Other contractors may have attended a HUD-approved Lead-Safe Work Practices training course.  A list of these contractors in Tompkins County can be obtained from the CCE Consumer HelpLine (272-2292) or click here to see contractor list.   See the Resource List for more information on hiring a contractor. Return to Contents

Other Web Sites For More Lead-Related Information National Lead Information Center Tompkins County Health Department Lead Prevention Program U.S. EPA Lead Page Lead-Contaminated Soil and Gardening - Cornell University Fact Sheet Return to Contents