Lead levels

[hartfelt]

My dd's lead level is 3. I know that is close to normal, but I am still freaking out a bit. Can someone give me some insight on what I can do for her, other than locate the source of exposure? Is there any way to reduce her levels? Thanks mamas!

[crunchy_mommy]

Well, 3 is pretty low... it will be pretty hard to get the level to 0 because there is a lot of lead in the environment that you can't control. I know the 'worry zone' is 10+ so she is quite a way from that!

You can test everything in your home -- toys, paint, windowsills, water supply, etc. -- with a home test kit.

You can also increase her iron intake, because iron can inhibit lead absorption.

[AndtheStars]

I wouldn't worry.  My DS's level came back at a 4 and since our house is 100 years old and all the other houses (my parents, IL's and babysitter's) he spends any time in are all at least 50 years old, I was really happy with the number.  Maybe you can get her re-checked in a year to see if anything has changed.   

[tzs]

after getting a finger prick test back at 12, i was ecstatic about our venous re-test level of 3.

the easiest thing you can do is make your house a shoe-free zone because alot gets tracked in from outside.

[hartfelt]

Thank you mamas. I do suspect the soil is the main culprit. I Ordered a few lead test kits and I am going to test the very few plastic things she is in contact with, and our dishes. I am a the yard sale queen, lol, so I am not sure how old some of our dishes/ furniture are. On another note, I have asked almost everyone I know IRL and no one has had their child tested. I thought it was standard 1yo bloodwork? Anyway thank you mamas :

[crunchy_mommy]

I do think it is standard and at least in my state, it's required by law that they check 1yo's... maybe the people you know just didn't pay attention to what they were testing for (and had normal results so were none the wiser)??

[tzs]

it was standard for us too, although i had them test early at 9 months since we live in an old house filled with chipping paint. 

apparently a house doesn't have to be all that old for paint to be the culprit though so i'd wager if you;re going to test i would start with that rather than the toys. window areas are key because the opening and closing causes paint dust to be created. so wiping windowsills with a wet cloth counts for alot.

i've also heard that even if your immediate surrounding soil isn't contaminated, that you pick up so much on your shoes just from walking in the streets etc... that floors can get super contaminated. 

[belltree]

There has been good advice so far. One thing that can help as well is making sure your child's iron levels are good. Lead is more likely to be absorbed if there is a iron deficiency.