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www.FredericksburgParent.NET 19 www.FredericksburgParent.NET 3 When it comes to homes where lead-based paint was once used, deteriora on over me is the biggest problem. Major U.S. policy changes banned lead-based paint in 1978 and lead service lines in 1986, but for communi es with older homes, like the many historic buildings found in Fredericksburg and the surrounding region, aging infrastructure is a major concern. "People o en mes think that lead poisoning was an issue of their parents' genera on," explained Kerr, "but as homes con nue to age, any that were painted with lead-based paint before that ban went into effect become an even bigger lead hazard." Over me, lead-based paint that was once intact can start to chip, peel and turn into fine dust, which is easily inhaled or ingested, especially by young children. This is especially common around high fric on areas like windowsills and door frames. And, older service lines can leach lead into water as well. How do you know if a child has lead poisoning? One of the most challenging aspects of lead exposure is how difficult it can be to detect. "The trickiest thing about lead poisoning is that, for the most part, most kids don't show any outward sign or symptom that they're sick," Kerr explained. Unlike common childhood illnesses, there's o en no obvious sign that something is wrong. In most cases, children with elevated lead levels appear perfectly healthy, which is why tes ng plays such a cri cal role. Occasionally, if exposed to a very high amount of lead, children may show signs of an upset stomach, headaches, dizziness or a difficult me focusing, but more o en than not, they won't have any symp- toms. "A blood lead test is the only sure way to know if a child has been exposed to lead," Kerr said. Without tes ng, exposure can go unno ced, some mes for years. Sources of Lead Exposure Lead-based paint Old service lines Imported cookware Imported tradi onal medicines An que jewelry Soil Imported toys Imported spices Imported ceramics Imported cosme cs sponsored material con nued on pg 18