USC Health Now

Q: After all the recent reports about lead in toys, how can I be sure my children are safe from lead poisoning? Should I have them tested regularly?

A. According to Robert Adler, M.D., vice chair of the Department of Pediatrics and director of Medical Education at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, there are a couple of important things to keep in mind about lead in toys. “It is unlikely for the amount of lead discovered in toys to cause problems in kids,” he says. The real danger is if they swallow the toy.” Furthermore, there is no convenient way to test for lead in toys, says Adler, who is also professor of pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. However, since children put their hands in their mouths—studies have shown year-old children put their hands in their mouths an average of 64 times an hour—other sources of lead in the environment may be of concern. The number one source of lead is peeling paint, says Adler, especially in homes or apartments built before the 1970s. He says that if a parent is concerned about environmental exposure, the test is easy and should be done since exposure can affect development in young kids. “What we’re finding is that while toys are not of great concern, many of these kids have other sources of lead in the house, which need to be addressed,” says Adler.