Lead Poisoning
Why is lead poisoning a problem?
Approximately 434,000 U.S. children aged 1-5
years have blood lead levels greater than the CDC recommended level of
10 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood.
Lead poisoning can affect nearly every system in the body. Because
lead poisoning often occurs with no obvious symptoms, it frequently goes
unrecognized. Lead poisoning can cause learning disabilities, behavioral
problems, and, at very high levels, seizures, coma, and even death.
How are children exposed to lead?
The major source of lead exposure among U.S. children is lead-based
paint and lead-contaminated dust found in deteriorating buildings.
Lead-based paints were banned for use in housing in 1978. However,
approximately 24 million housing units in the United States have
deteriorated leaded paint and elevated levels of lead-contaminated house
dust. More than 4 million of these dwellings are homes to one or more
young children.
Other sources of lead poisoning are related to:
- hobbies (making stained-glass windows)
- work (recycling or making automobile batteries)
- drinking water (lead pipes, solder, brass fixtures,
valves can all leach lead)
- home health remedies (arzacon and greta, which are used for
upset stomach or indigestion; pay-loo-ah, which is used for rash or
fever).
Who is at risk for lead poisoning?
- Children under the age of 6 years because they are
growing so rapidly and because they tend to put their hands or other objects
into their mouths.
- Children from all social and economic levels can be
affected by lead poisoning, although children living at or below the poverty
line who live in older housing are at greatest risk.
- Children of some racial and ethnic groups living in older
housing are disproportionately affected by lead. For example, 22% of
black children and 13% of Mexican-American children living in
housing built before 1946 have elevated blood lead levels compared
with 6% of white children living in comparable types of housing.
Can lead poisoning be prevented?
Lead poisoning is entirely preventable. The key is stopping children
from coming into contact with lead and treating children who have been
poisoned by lead.
- Lead hazards in a child's environment must be removed
- Public and health care professionals need to be
educated about lead poisoning and how to prevent it
- Children who are at risk of lead poisoning need to be tested,
and, if necessary, treated.
Next: What can the public and parents do to reduce blood lead levels? »
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