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Statewide, the prevalence of lead poisoning among Iowa children under the age of 6 is 7 percent. The national average is 1.6 percent.
This is partly because of the large number of Iowa homes built before 1950. Most of these homes contain lead-based paint. Young children who live in these homes become lead-poisoned when they put paint chips or exterior soil in their mouths, or when they get house dust and soil on their hands and put their hands in their mouths. Adults who remodel or repaint these homes may also be lead-poisoned if they disturb the lead-based paint.
Lead poisoning can cause serious health problems - even death; however, most lead-poisoned children show no visible symptoms.
Click here for more information on the IDPH programs to help prevent lead poisoning.
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