| The dangers of lead paint and lead poisoning | | | | hands well afterwards and wear protective |
| include a broad range of mental disorders and | | | | clothing. Solder is a bad idea while pregnant, so |
| chronic disabilities. But lead paint and lead poisoning | | | | hand the soldering iron off to another crafty |
| is especially dangerous for women, who run the | | | | woman during your pregnancy. Change your |
| risk of passing dangerous lead exposure on to | | | | clothing after working with lead-filled crafts |
| developing fetuses while pregnant. Here are some | | | | materials and be sure to wash them away from |
| ways that women can experience a safe | | | | other family members' garments. |
| pregnancy free from the effects of lead | | | | Take Care At Work |
| poisoning: | | | | Occupational exposure to lead is dangerous for |
| Clean Up! | | | | men and women, but pregnant women run the |
| Cleanliness is next to godliness...and can help | | | | additional risk of lead contamination to their unborn |
| pregnant women escape the dangers of toxic | | | | children. If you work with soldering irons, welding |
| lead exposure. Pregnant women should clean the | | | | materials, lead-based paint, common construction |
| house when they see the presence of chipping | | | | site chemicals and items, or work in a factory |
| paint or dust - both of which can contain lead | | | | setting, you may be putting your fetus at risk. |
| particles. Cover chipping paint in your home with | | | | Ask your employer about a transfer to a |
| duct tape, plastic or contact paper, and vacuum | | | | lower-risk area of the factory, and be sure to |
| dust whenever possible. A wet cloth will help wash | | | | wash hands often. Put your work clothing in a |
| down painted and dusty surfaces, protecting you | | | | separate hamper and wash it separately from |
| from lead particles and their potential dangers to | | | | other family's garments. Keep lead-exposed shoes |
| you and your fetus. | | | | outside of the house and be sure to vacuum well |
| Hand-washing, while common-sense, is not | | | | if they go into the house. Educate yourself about |
| practiced enough, so be sure to wash up after | | | | the hazards of lead exposure and be certain to |
| interacting with soil, which might contain lead | | | | talk to your doctor about how your prenatal care |
| toxins, and before preparing food or eating. Wear | | | | can reflect your concern about lead poisoning and |
| garden gloves and wash up after dusting or | | | | lead exposure. |
| mopping to prevent cross-contamination with your | | | | Seek Legal Advice for Exposure |
| food or water. | | | | If you have been exposed to lead paint or other |
| Craft With Care | | | | lead at work or at home, consult a doctor and |
| Ceramic and other pottery may have its appeal, | | | | then a lawyer. An experienced lead poisoning |
| but with lead paint posing a very real threat to | | | | attorney can help you recover money for the |
| your fetus, it may be a good idea to avoid | | | | injury, pain and suffering caused by toxic lead |
| ceramic crafts until after your pregnancy. If you | | | | paint exposure that affects the health of you and |
| must interact with lead-containing pottery or paint | | | | your baby. |
| during your pregnancy, be sure to wash your | | | | |