What Other Parents Are Reading Can Lead Affect My Unborn Baby?
I’m worried because we recently moved into an older home that
may have some lead paint and I just found out that I’m pregnant.
Should I be concerned about exposing my baby to lead? If your
home was built before 1978, it could have lead-based paint. A
pregnant woman's exposure to high lead levels can be hazardous
to the baby, because lead in a mother's blood can easily cross
the placenta to the fetus. Lead poisoning can affect almost
every system in the body. Even low levels of lead in a child's
blood can cause subtle problems with behavior and learning. Lead
in paint can cause problems when it is chipping, peeling, or is
removed. Even opening a window that previously had lead paint on
it can release lead dust that can be inhaled or settle on hands
and food. Some homes (old and new) may also have lead pipes or
copper piping with lead solder that can allow lead to enter the
tap water. If you have an older home or are concerned about lead
exposure, g