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LEAD PRODUCTS
THAT MADE MANY PEOPLE SICK:

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IS THERE LEAD IN YOUR LOLLIPOP?

In 2004, Food and Drug Administration found out that there is candy that contained lead being sold to children. This candy was imported from Mexico. There were two types. The first type were the lollipops that had a lots of chili powder. Chili powder gets lead when it is made in the factory.  Another product is called tamarind. The problem with this candy was that it was sold in jars that had lead paint.  People in FDA worried that kids will buy this candy and get lead poisoning. The thing is also that this was going on for years! In April 2004 the FDA sent a letter to Mexican government and told them it's time to change this.



WATCH OUT - LEAD'S AROUND US...

 I would watch out if I were you! There is more places containing lead around you than you may think.

      For many centuries people have used lead products in everyday life. Even Romans knew about how useful lead is, as well as how dangerous lead is. The use of lead continues today.

      There are still houses with lead paint, especially in the older neighborhoods. Remember that lead paint was made until 1978! Things containing lead can seriously harm you if your not careful, since a lot of exposure to lead could lead to lead poisoning! Many things have lead in it, you just don't know it! Your house may have lead-containing objects such as bricks, blocks, pipes plugs, roofing lead, windows, bars, tubing and wire. You also use some products daily in your jobs like glasses, goggles, gloves, and masks if you are a scientist.

      One of the most important things is to read the labels carefully and make sure to store products containing lead properly. It is very important to keep them away from young children (ages 6 and under), since they are the ones who can be harmed the most. If you think about it, there is lead everywhere around you, you should test it, like water or soil.

      While there are lots of laws and regulations dealing with lead, the lead is still a useful metal. It is still used in many places. The best way to deal with

Here are some places in which you could find lead:

FOUND IN
DESCRIPTION
soil
You should be aware about soil around your house. The lead in the soil can stay there for many years. Usually the soil become polluted with lead from the paint that has lead in it. This paint is from the house paint and it got into soil. Also, sometimes soil can get polluted because of gasoline that had lead. Leaded gas was made for a long time. If somebody had a car and it spilled, the lead stayed in the soil.
water
How old is your house? Before there were laws about lead and people did not think that lead is that bad, they made plumbing and pipes with lead. Many older houses still have leaded plumbing. Water that goes through these pipes can be contaminated, and when you drink it you can get lead poisoning. Worst of all, lead will still be in water even if you boil it! Also, lead in the water does not change what water tastes or smells like and it does not have color. The best thing to do is to check the plumbing to see what kind of pipes do you have. If it is lead, you should call a person who is certified to remove lead and replace your pipes. It may cost a lot, but it is worth it!
Lead Crystal
Those flowers look great in that vase, don't they? But you better read the label. Crystal vases or glasses may contain lead.  You probably won't eat the flowers! But make sure you do not store food in it! A tiny amount of lead will pollute food or drink in the lead crystal container. If you do this regularly, you may be the victim of lead poisoning.
Old toys or furniture
Did you inherit your grandfathers wooden train? Or maybe your grandma left you a beautiful table? Be careful - older wooden toys and furniture may be painted with the lead paint. Remember that lead paint was used all the way to 1978. Usually, the paint that is not chipped is not a problem. But you know how kids are - they love to put stuff in their mouth and they can easily chip the paint. This could be really dangerous. Also if you use old furniture sometimes you need to refinish it. To do this you need to take of the old paint first. You can see where the problem is - you will chip the old paint and it may have lead.
Contaminated
foods
Do you really know where your dinner has really been? The person who made it could have had lead on their hands or it could have been in a lead containing room!