Children who eat a diet that is high in iron and calcium and low in fat are less prone to lead poisoning.

• Serve children foods that are high in iron, such as lean meats, chicken, fish, raisins, eggs and iron-fortified cereals. Also, serve children foods high in calcium, such as low fat milk, cheese, yogurt, broccoli, soybeans and tofu.
• For more information on child nutrition, contact:
  Kentucky Department for Health Services Division of Maternal & Child Health Nutrition Education & Counseling Services at 275 East Main Street, Frankfort, KY 40621
  

REDUCE LEAD IN FOOD: Sources of lead in food include the lead solder in some cans, antique pewter, and glazes on pottery made outside the USA.

• Do not store food in original cans once they are opened; cans with lead solder may leach lead into food more readily once opened. Store food in glass or plastic containers.
• Avoid serving food on ceramic ware or pottery made outside the USA.
• Avoid serving food or drink on antique pewter or silver.

DON’T BRING LEAD HOME FROM WORK: If you work with lead, you may bring lead home on work clothes and shoes.

• If you work with lead, shower and change clothes and shoes before leaving work.

CRIBS/TOYS/HOBBIES: For information on reducing lead hazards from other sources, including painted cribs and toys and hobbies, call: Department for Health Services Product Safety Branch Division of Community Safety at 275 East Main Street Frankfort, KY 40621 or call ( 502 ) 564-4537.

REDUCE EXPOSURE TO SOIL & DUST: Soil and dust are a very important source of childhood lead exposure.

• Provide toddlers with a covered sandbox that has a bottom and clean sand, as an alternative to playing in the dirt.

• Dispose of visible paint chips.
• Wash floors, vacuum rugs and wet wipe furniture often.
• Wash children’s hands often, particularly before eating.
• Provide clean teething toys to young children to discourage them from chewing on painted objects, such as crib railings.
• Teach children to throw away food that has fallen to the ground or floor.
• Plant grass to reduce children’s contact with soil and to control dust, OR
  -- Cover soil with sod or cement.
  -- Plant bushes around lead painted buildings, this will discourage children from playing where lead paint chips accumulate and this will help control the spread of lead paint chips and dust.

REDUCE LEAD IN WATER:

• Run tap water until it is cold, to flush out the water pipes, before using it for drinking or cooking. This is very important, when using the water to prepare formulas, juice or cereal for infants. The longer the water stands in pipes, the more lead can leach from the plumbing.
• Never use hot water for drinking or cooking. Hot water is more likely to leach lead from plumbing than cold water.
• For more information on lead in drinking water, call: The Dept. For Environmental Protection Drinking Water Branch Division of Water 18 Reilly Road, Frankfort, KY 40601 ( 502 ) 564-3410.