National Network for Child Care's Connections
Newsletter
Dawn Hentges, Ph.D.
Foods and Nutrition Specialist
Food Science and Human Nutrition
University of Illinois Cooperative Extension
Copyright/Access Information
Children may be exposed to lead and lead poisoning in a variety
of ways - through particles in the air, dust and soil, lead pipes,
lead paint, and diet. Thumb-sucking and other hand-to-mouth behaviors
may account for as much as 80 percent of all children's lead-related
exposures. Lead in drinking water contributes ten to twenty percent
of total lead exposure in young children. The lead content of
household tap water varies. When mixed with infant formulas, tap
water can become a primary source of lead exposure in non-nursing
infants during the first six months of life.
Lead accumulates gradually in the body over a lifetime. It collects
mainly in the bones, with small amounts in the soft tissues. High
levels of lead can damage the kidneys, liver, heart, and the reproductive
and immune systems. Young children absorb lead more readily than
adults. Even low levels of lead intake can cause learning and
behavioral disorders and affect growth. It is estimated that three
to four million children, less than six years of age, may have
unsafe lead levels in their blood.
A study conducted at Columbia University has shown that lead was
leached from lead crystal decanters and baby bottles into the
beverages that they hold. Acids, such as those present in tomato
juice and fruit juices, speed up the release of lead from the
crystal. Results of the study indicate that the lead content of
one liquid tripled after just four hours in a lead crystal container.
Apple juice stored in a lead crystal baby bottle increased more
than a hundred times after four hours. The lead content of infant
formula also greatly increased after just 15 minutes in a lead
crystal baby bottle.
Ceramic-ware, with a glaze that contains lead, may also be a source
of lead exposure for children and adults. Acidic foods, such as
fruit juice, vinegar, and tomatoes, may speed up the release of
lead if these items are stored for long periods of time in ceramic-ware.
The FDA has set limits on the amount of lead that may be leached
from any ceramic-ware used in serving, storing, or preparing food.
These limits are currently being reassessed. Most ceramic-ware
made in the United States complies with federal standards, therefore,
the lead content in commercial ceramic-ware does not pose a major
public health problem. However, ceramic-ware produced as art work
in other countries may not adhere to these standards. It is sometimes
difficult to know the origin of ceramic-ware. Therefore, follow
these guidelines to reduce the risk of lead poisoning:
*Food Chemical News*. March 18, 1992.
Kids at risk: Getting the lead out. (1991 May-June). Washington,
D.C.: *Food Insight*. IFIC Food Education Foundation.
Lower 'threshold of concern' for children's lead levels. (1991
December). *FDA Consumer*.
Some dishes are best left empty. (1988, October). *Tufts University
Diet and Nutrition Letter*, 6, No. 8.
Lecos, C.W. (1987 July-August). Pretty poison: Lead and ceramic
ware. *FDA Consumer*.