5 Things to Know About Children and Lead

Bethlehem, PA (3/29/2016) – St. Luke’s University Health Network understands parents are concerned about their children’s exposure to lead. In light of recent media attention concerning lead levels found in water samples, here are five things to know about lead:

• Talk with your doctor about your concerns, testing and prevention. To find a doctor, call 1-866-STLUKES or Click Here ».
• Identify and clean up lead in your home. Paint made before 1978 may contain lead and when it cracks and peels, it makes lead dust. Use wet paper towels to clean up the dust. Clean around windows and play areas.
• Feed them healthy foods such as milk, yogurt, cheese, green leafy vegetables, red meat, beans, peanut butter, cereal, oranges and green and red peppers that may help keep lead out of the body.
• Children under 6 years old are at risk because they are growing so rapidly and tend to put their hands and other objects in their mouths.
• Regularly wash children’s hands and toys and wet mop floors and windows. Provide a sandbox for outside play to discourage playing in bare soil.

Source: Center for Disease Control »

To learn more, here are five websites that give more information on lead:

• Lead Exposure: Steps to Protect Your Family »
• Lead Screening »
• Blood Lead Levels in Children: What Parents Need to Know »
• Lead Poisoning Symptoms »
• Environmental Protection Agency drinking water regulations for lead »

About St. Luke’s

St. Luke’s University Health Network (SLUHN) is a non-profit, regional, fully integrated, nationally recognized network providing services at six hospitals and more than 200 sites, primarily in Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon, Schuylkill, Bucks, Montgomery, Berks and Monroe counties in Pennsylvania and in Warren County, New Jersey.

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Media Contact:

Mariella B. Miller
Senior Director, Corporate Communications
St. Luke's University Health Network
484-526-4134
Mariella.Miller@sluhn.org

For more information about St. Luke’s services or to find a physician, call St. Luke’s InfoLink toll-free at
1-866-STLUKES (785-8537) Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm or email us anytime at Info.Link@sluhn.org.