Childhood Lead Poisoning

1
Childhood Lead Poisoning

• By Michael J. Kowal

2
Background

• Pre-1978 housing
• Children 6 years of age
• Central Nervous System (CNS) Development
• 250,000 children with elevated blood-lead levels

3
Risk Factors

• Children living in Low Socioeconomic Status (SES)
• Disproportionately Affected
• Pregnant Women

4
Prevalence

• Most Common Environmental Illness
• 16.4 of children
• Highest Levels
• Non-Hispanic Black children (Greatest Risk)
• Mexican American children
• Non-Hispanic White children

5
Mortality/Morbidity

• Mortality
• 1960s
• Morbidity
• Children
• Brain Function
• Adults
• Behavioral

6
Lead Detection

• In the home
• Licensed Lead Risk Assessor/Inspector
• In the body
• Capillary
• Venous

7
Elevated Blood-Lead Levels (EBL)

• Levels
• 10 ug/dL 150 ug/dL
• Health Effects
• IQ Loss
• Behavioral Problems
• Death

8
Treatment Methods

• lt45 ug/dL
• Diet
• gt45 ug/dL
• Chelation Therapy
• Ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA)

9
Prevention

• Barriers
• Wet-mopping
• Frequent Hand Washing
• Covering bare soil

10
Sources

• Paint (Most Important)
• Mexican Candies
• Soil
• Folk Medicine
• Greta
• Azarcon
• 900 Hobbies and Occupations

11
Legal Aspects

• State and Federal laws
• Health Departments
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
• Disclosure Law
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Landlord Responsibility

12
Lead Abatement

• Lead-based Paint Removal
• 8-15/square foot
• Encapsulation
• lt .50/square foot
• Costs (1,200-2,000)
• Paint Removal 9,600-30,000
• Encapsulation 600-1,000

13
Landlord Responsibilities

• Know the Lead Hazards
• Licensed Lead Inspectors/Risk Assessors
• Abate the Premises
• Environmental Protection Agency
• http//www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadinfo.htmprotect

14
Parental Responsibilities

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• http//www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/
• Blood Tests
• Maintain the Home
• Keep the Children Safe

15
Conclusions

• Stay Educated
• Prevention Measures
• Landlords
• Parents
• Take Responsibility
• Reduce the Numbers
• 250,000 children

16
References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  (2010). Lead. Retrieved on April 17, 2010 from
  http//www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/
• Cost Helper. (2010). Lead Paint Abatement Cost.
  Retrieved on April 15, 2010 from
  http//www.costhelper.com/cost/home- garden/lead-
  paint-abatement.html
• EMedicine. (2010). Toxicity, Lead. Retrieved on
  April 22, 2010 from http//emedicine.medscape.co
  m/article/815399- overview

17
References

• Environmental Protection Agency. (2009). Lead in
  Paint, Dust, and Soil. Retrieved on April 17,
  2010 from http//www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadinfo
  .h tmprotect
• MayoClinic. (2010). Lead Poisoning. Retrieved on
  April 22, 2010 from http//www.mayoclinic.com/he
  alth/lead- poisoning/FL00068