Childhood Lead Poisoning Risk Factor Questionnaire
| If you answer
YES
to any of the questions then see your doctor to discuss the
need for a blood lead test. |
|
|
If
your child is aged between 9 and 48 months, does he or she: |
|
|
Yes
No |
-
Live in, or frequently visit, a house* built
before 1970 with previous or ongoing renovation where old paint (interior or exterior) has
been burnt or sanded off, or where ceilings, walls or floors demolished?
|
Yes
No |
-
Live in, or frequently visit, a house* near a
lead releasing industry, eg lead mine, lead smelter, battery-recycling plant?
|
Yes
No |
|
(*-This includes day-care centres, preschools and homes of
babysitters relatives, etc) |
-
Live with an adult whose job or hobby uses
lead? (eg lead mining or smelting, automotive repair, panel-beating, leadlighting, fishing
sinker making, electronics, shooting instruction, car-battery service/ repair or
manufacture).
|
Yes
No |
|
Does your child…. |
|
|
Yes
No |
|
|
Yes
No |
-
Have any of the following conditions
sometimes associated with lead poisoning, eg iron deficiency anaemia, behaviour problem**
, learning problem** or developmental delay**?
(**- note that these conditions may not be diagnosed until after the lead level has
returned to "normal")
|
Yes
No
|
| If your answers to all questions are no, it means your child
is probably not at high risk, but DOES NOT GUARANTEE that your child doesn't have an
elevated lead level. If you have any concerns, discuss them with your doctor. For more information on lead contact the Lead
Advisory Service Australia (see below).
If renovation is planned, please advise your
doctor and obtain a copy of the booklet "Lead Safe - A renovator's guide to the
dangers of lead" from the EPA pollution line on 131 555.
The absence of symptoms does not take away
the need for a blood lead test, as most lead-poisoned children have no outward symptoms
until high levels are reached.
Painless blood lead testing is possible
through the use of anaesthetic patches (EMLA™ Patches) available without prescription
from chemists.
If your child has a risk factor for lead
poisoning then the pathology test is eligible for Medicare benefits.
Parents
and doctors can contact the Global Lead Advice & Support Service (GLASS) for information on all aspects
of lead poisoning..
Free call: 1800 626 086 Phone +61 2 9716 0014, Fax: +61
2 9716 9005
Lead Group: www.lead.org.au/
EPA LRC: www.epa.nsw.gov.au/leadsafe
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