Chicago Bear's Mike Ditka was playing his first pro game against the Vikings in 1961 when he audaciously told teammate and veteran guard Alex Karras to get the lead out of his rear end. Karras took a swing at Ditka for that-but Ditka's ferocious attitude kept him at the top of his game, and made him the Bears' head coach from 1982 to 1992. Now if only municipalities across the country would get their lead out, too!
A recent Reuters investigation found 449 areas (that's 3,300 neighborhoods!) around the U.S. with lead exposure rates that are double those found in Flint, Mich. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half a million kids ages 1 to 5 have blood lead levels above 5 micrograms per deciliter, the reference level at which CDC recommends public health actions be initiated. And there is NO SAFE BLOOD LEVEL! In kids it can cause permanent and severe mental disabilities. What can you do?
The CDC suggests that you:
- Talk to your local or state health department about testing paint and dust. Household dust is a major source of lead.
- Test your water.
- Keep peeling paint away from children.
- Regularly wash children's hands and toys.
- Regularly wet-mop floors and wet-wipe window components.
- Use only cold water from the tap for drinking, cooking and making baby formula. Hot water is more likely to contain higher levels of lead. Most of the lead in household water usually comes from the plumbing in your house.
Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of "The Dr. Oz Show," and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Wellness Officer and Chair of Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic. To live your healthiest, tune into "The Dr. Oz Show" or visit www.sharecare.com.
(c) 2017 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D.