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Lead easily makes kids sick

Children can easily become sick from their contaminated toys when they swallow lead dust.

Lead dust is ingested when children play and put their hands or toys in their mouths, according to the city health department. Teething toddlers who chew on their toys are especially at risk if the toy contains lead.

Once lead enters the child's body it is stored in the bones, where it can remain for a lifetime, the American Academy of Pediatrics warns. Lead builds up over time and can make a child sick when it reaches certain levels. Associated medical problems include hearing loss, seizures, growth problems and kidney problems.

Academy physicians recommend a lead blood test for any child who may have been exposed to lead in toys, paint or the environment. If the test shows high levels in the blood, a doctor may proscribe a drug that binds the metal in the blood and flushes it out of the body.

In the city, most lead poisoning cases are due to exposure to lead paint in old buildings, health officials said. Last year, more than 2,300 city kids under the age of 6 were diagnosed with lead poisoning. In 1995, that number was nearly 20,000.

Justin Rocket Silverman