Lead is more prevalent than many individuals think, and its extreme risks are also more abundant to those exposed to it. Women who are pregnant are at the utmost risk after exposure to lead because it will not only affect the woman, but her baby as well.
The dangers of lead paint and lead poisoning include a broad range of mental disorders and chronic disabilities. But lead paint and lead poisoning is especially dangerous for women, who run the risk of passing dangerous lead exposure on to developing fetuses while pregnant.
Additionally, the following are tips that will help a pregant woman avoid lead exposure:
Clean Up!
Cleanliness is next to godliness...and can help pregnant women escape the dangers of toxic lead exposure. Pregnant women should clean the house when they see the presence of chipping paint or dust - both of which can contain lead particles.
Cover chipping paint in your home with duct tape, plastic or contact paper, and vacuum dust whenever possible. A wet cloth will help wash down painted and dusty surfaces, protecting you from lead particles and their potential dangers to you and your fetus.
Hand-washing, while common-sense, is not practiced enough, so be sure to wash up after interacting with soil, which might contain lead toxins, and before preparing food or eating. Wear garden gloves and wash up after dusting or mopping to prevent cross-contamination with your food or water.
Craft With Care
Ceramic and other pottery may have its appeal, but with lead paint posing a very real threat to your fetus, it may be a good idea to avoid ceramic crafts until after your pregnancy. If you must interact with lead-containing pottery or paint during your pregnancy, be sure to wash your hands well afterwards and wear protective clothing. Solder is a bad idea while pregnant, so hand the soldering iron off to another crafty woman during your pregnancy.
Crafts that may have involved lead should be stopped and this lead-exposed clothing should remain separate from other clothing/garments in the house. Take Care At Work Occupational exposure to lead is dangerous for men and women, but pregnant women run the additional risk of lead contamination to their unborn children.
Additionally, it is advisable for women who work with soldering irons, welders, lead paint or other similar chemicals or products in a manufactoring environment to cease and desist all work until after the pregancy and breast feeding. Ask your employer about a transfer to a lower-risk area of the factory, and be sure to wash hands often. Put your work clothing in a separate hamper and wash it separately from other family's garments.
Keep lead-exposed shoes outside of the house and be sure to vacuum well if they go into the house. Educate yourself about the hazards of lead exposure and be certain to talk to your doctor about how your prenatal care can reflect your concern about lead poisoning and lead exposure.
Seek Legal Advice for Exposure
If you have been exposed to lead paint or other lead at work or at home, consult a doctor and then a lawyer. An experienced lead poisoning attorney can help you recover money for the injury, pain and suffering caused by toxic lead paint exposure that affects the health of you and your baby.
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