Key takeaways:
- The CDC is warning doctors to be on the lookout for possible cases of lead poisoning in children after at least 22 toddlers in 14 states were sickened by lead linked to tainted pouches of cinnamon apple puree and applesauce.
- Lead poisoning is a serious health concern, as there is no safe level of lead exposure and can cause a range of health issues.
- The CDC is urging parents to check their pantries for the recalled products and to contact their child’s doctor if they have any concerns about lead poisoning, as well as taking steps to reduce their children’s exposure to lead.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning doctors to be on the lookout for possible cases of lead poisoning in children after at least 22 toddlers in 14 states were sickened by lead linked to tainted pouches of cinnamon apple puree and applesauce. The affected children are between the ages of 1 and 3, and at least one child showed a blood lead level eight times higher than the level that raises concern.
The CDC has identified 3.5 micrograms per deciliter as a marker to identify children with higher levels of lead than most. The blood lead levels of the affected children ranged from 4 to 29 micrograms per deciliter.
Lead poisoning is a serious health concern, as there is no safe level of lead exposure. Lead poisoning can cause a range of health issues, including anemia, kidney damage, and delayed physical and mental development.
The CDC is urging parents to check their pantries for the recalled products and to contact their child’s doctor if they have any concerns about lead poisoning. The recalled products were sold in pouches under the brand names Sprout, Nature’s Promise, and Full Circle. The CDC is also recommending that parents and caregivers take steps to reduce their children’s exposure to lead, such as testing their homes for lead and making sure their children are eating a healthy diet with plenty of iron and calcium.
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