Managing Injuries: Lead Poisoning

October 23-29, 2005 is National Childhood Lead Poisonoing Prevention Week.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that approximately 310,000 children ages 1-5 have elevated (greater than 10 micrograms per deciliter) levels of lead in their blood.

Lead exposure can harm children and babies before they are born.  People can get lead poisoning by (1) putting their hands in their mouths after they are covered with lead dust; (2) eating paint chips that contain lead-based paint; and (3) inhaling lead dust (especially during building rennovations).   However, elevated lead blood levels in children have significantly decreased since the late 1970's, largely due to the lack of lead-based paint in home construction (MMRW Weekly, 54:20; 513-516)

Lead is more dangerous for children than adults because: (1) children more often put their hands in their mouths; (2) their bodies absorb the lead faster; and (3) their nervous systems are more suspectible to lead because they are not fully formed.  If not detected early, lead can result in harm to the nervous system; slower growth; behavioral and learning problems; hearing problems; and headaches.

Lead is generally found in homes built before 1978, soil around older homes, household dust, drinking water that comes from lead pipes, old painted toys and furniture; and food and liquids stored in containers that contain lead.

CDC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program  Promotes state and local screening efforts and develops improved treatments for lead exposure.

EPA: Lead in Paint, Dust and Soil  Comprehensive site on lead poisoning, with facts, technical resources, rules and regulations, education and outreach, and links to other lead sites.

• Locate a Certified Abatement Company
• Find a local Lead-Based Training Abatement Program
• Other EPA Offices involved in lead-based paint:
  • EPA Regional Office Lead Coordinators: Complementing the ongoing policy development effort at EPA Headquarters in Washington, EPA maintains 10 Regional Offices to implement Federal environmental programs around the country. These Regional Offices cooperate with Federal , State, interstate, and local agencies, as well as with industry, academic institutions, and other private groups, to ensure that their Region's needs are addressed and that Federal environmental laws are upheld.
  • Office of Air and Radiation: Establishes standards for industrial lead emissions and sets standards for ambient air quality.
  • Office of Children's Health Protection:    Implements EPA's commitment to protect children from environmental health hazards.  OCHP's mission is to make the protection of children's health a fundamental goal of public health and environmental protection in the United States.
  • Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance:  Works in partnership with EPA Regional Offices, State Governments, Tribal Governments and other Federal agencies, to ensure compliance with the nation's environmental laws.
  • Office of Indoor Air Quality: Promotes efforts to improve indoor air quality, including efforts to reduce risks from household lead -based paint hazards.
  • Office of Pesticides Programs:  Developed a brochure that has helpful tips to prevent pesticide and lead poisonings
  • Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response: Develops standards for management of lead in solid and hazardous waste. In addition, OSWER oversees the cleanup of lead contamination at Superfund facilities. 
  • Office of Water: Develops standards for lead in drinking water. In addition, OW establishes effluent standards for industrial sources, and water quality standards for lakes, rivers, and streams
• Additional resources from EPA:
  • Lead in Your Home: A Parent's Reference Guide 
  • Testing Your Home for Lead in Paint, Dust, and Soil
  • Finding a Qualified Lead Professional for Your Home
  • Protect Your Children From Lead Poisoning (English)
  • Proteja a Sus Ninos del Envenenamiento Con Plomo (En Español)
  • Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home (English)
  • Proteja Su Familia Contra a Plomo En El Hogar (En Español)
  • Reducing Lead Hazards When Remodeling Your Home (English)
  • Reduccion de Los Riegos de Contaminacion Por Plomo Cuando Remodela Su Casa (En Español)
  • Ten Tips to Protect Children from Pesticide and Lead Poisonings around the Home 
  • The Lead-Based Paint Pre-Renovation Education Rule: A Handbook for Contractors, Property Mangers, and Maintenance Personnel
  • Lead Paint Safety: A Field Guide for Painting, Home Maintenance, and Renovation Work

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control

The National Lead Information Center National information center sponsored by EPA, CDC and HUD that provides information on hazards of lead and prevention for professionals and the general public.

Lead411: Site provides information on the history of lead, children and lead poisoning, health information and resources. See for example:

• Sympotoms and diagnosis
• Health effects
• Treatment options
• Safety Tips

Keep Kids Healthy: Lead Poisoning Treatment

Provides information on normal amounts of blood lead levels, as well as a link to a lead screening guide. Also discusses what types of treatment and actions are necessary for different amounts of blood lead levels.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission Identifies and regulates sources of lead exposure in consumer products.

The F.U.N. Place: Around the Home, Lead Paint Info  A family oriented site with information on lead, its effects on children, information relevant to rennovating your home, games for kids and more.

actforhealth@yahoo.com

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Page last updated: 06/15/2006

ACT for Health, Adolescent and Child Targets for Health Foundation, Inc., is an educational and charitable non-profit, non-governmental organization, tax-exempt under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.