Lead poisoning is caused by breathing or swallowing lead. Lead can pass from a mother to her unborn baby.

Too much lead in your body can:

• Put you at risk of miscarriage

• Cause your baby to be born too early or too small

• Hurt your baby’s brain, kidneys, and nervous system

• Cause your child to have learning or behavior problems

Lead can be found in:

• Paint and dust in older homes, especially dust from renovation or repairs

• Candy, make up, glazed pots, and folk medicine made in other countries

• Work like auto refinishing, construction, and plumbing

• Soil and tap water

Now is the time to keep your baby safe from lead poisoning. Here’s what you can do:

1. Watch out for lead in your home

2. Eat foods with calcium, iron and vitamin C.

3. Talk to your doctor.

Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library collection