Though the term lead exposure may seem like an old-fashioned health threat like scurvy or polio, lead is still a threat to the health, especially to the kids. You may think your home is perfectly cleaned, but you never know how you or the kids are consuming lead. You may be surprised to know that your favorite ceramic dishes have a great amount of harmful lead to cause sickness. Several types of research say that lead poisoning can even be life-threatening.
Symptoms that prove that you have been a victim of lead poisoning –
- Abdominal pain and cramps
- Constipation
- Headaches
- Aggressive behavior
- Irritation
- Sleep problems
- Loss of appetite
- High blood pressure
- Anemia
- Memory loss
- Kidney problem
- Lower IQ in children
- Vomiting etc.
Here are 3 things in your home that carry maximum amount of lead:
Dishware:
A few dishes or utensils carry a higher amount of lead that is significantly risky and can harm your health the most since when you heat the dishes, it may cause lead to leach into your food. Dishes, like ceramic bowls, and the older dishware that are not regulated by FDA have higher amount of lead.
Safety tips:
- Don’t use ceramic dishware for microwave use or for storing food since heating and storing can leach the lead into the food
- Never use a dish that is chipped or cracked. If the dish is not intact, the lead may leak
- Buy lead-free dishware that is regulated by FDA
Toys:
The CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) has banned the use of lead in a number of toys. But it has not been implemented to all the toys. So, the risk of lead-laden toys is still present. Basically, the paint of the toys includes lead that is highly harmful to your children.
Safety tips:
Don’t use vinyl toys that refer to the soft leathery type of toys and shoes. These toys are legally sold with a certain level of lead in them. So, in case you have bought them, make sure your toddlers don’t swallow or chew on them.
Just throw the toys that are painted or made of metal.
Don’t let your kids play with the antique toys. Also be careful with the baby cribs, the paint may have lead in it!
Jewellery:
Thinking a woman’s life without jewellery is like walking on the sea beach without getting wet. Make sure your costume jewellery or metal jewellery is out of reach for your kids as it has a great amount of lead that is harmful.
Safety tips:
The only rule of thumb to keep your children safe is keeping your children away from your costume or metal jewellery.
Don’t let the lead to lead your health. Keep your child safe and protected from the lead by following the safety tips.