Why Lead is Dangerous for Young Children Lead is a toxic metal found in the Lead is a toxic metal found in the
environmentenvironment Children 6 months to 6 years are at riskChildren 6 months to 6 years are at risk
Kids absorb more from hand to Kids absorb more from hand to mouth activitymouth activity
Can cause developmental delays Can cause developmental delays because it interferes with how the because it interferes with how the brain maturesbrain matures
Common Sources of Lead in a Child’s Environment
Paint and dustPaint and dust SoilSoil WaterWater Toys, vinyl miniblindsToys, vinyl miniblinds Pottery from foreign placesPottery from foreign places
Other Sources of Lead
KeysKeys PewterPewter Home remediesHome remedies Glaze on old bathtubsGlaze on old bathtubs Soil contaminated from leaded gasolineSoil contaminated from leaded gasoline
Lead Sources
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/lead.htm
Soil near heavily-used streets and roads may Soil near heavily-used streets and roads may contain lead because lead was used in gasoline contain lead because lead was used in gasoline production. Lead may also be found in the soil production. Lead may also be found in the soil next to homes that previously had been painted next to homes that previously had been painted with lead-based paint. Lead in soil can contribute with lead-based paint. Lead in soil can contribute to high levels of lead in household dust. to high levels of lead in household dust.
Lead Sources
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/lead.htm
Lead may get into drinking water when lead-Lead may get into drinking water when lead-containing materials are used in plumbing parts, containing materials are used in plumbing parts, such as pipes, solders, and brass or chrome plated such as pipes, solders, and brass or chrome plated faucets; any of these components may begin to faucets; any of these components may begin to corrode and break downcorrode and break down
Lead Sources
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/lead.htm
Plastic mini-blinds Plastic mini-blinds Old toys / imported toysOld toys / imported toys Lead painted potteryLead painted pottery Leaded crystalLeaded crystal InksInks Artists paintsArtists paints AmmunitionAmmunition DishesDishes
AmmunitionAmmunition Stained glassStained glass Fishing sinkersFishing sinkers Yellow road stripesYellow road stripes Pool cue chalkPool cue chalk CosmeticsCosmetics Colored newspapersColored newspapers Hair dyes Hair dyes
Lead Producers
Battery manufacturingBattery manufacturing Chemical industriesChemical industries Construction & demolitionConstruction & demolition Firing-range instructorsFiring-range instructors Foundry workersFoundry workers Gas-station attendantsGas-station attendants JewelersJewelers Lead miners & smeltersLead miners & smelters
Pigment manufacturingPigment manufacturing Pipe fittersPipe fitters Plastics industryPlastics industry PrintersPrinters Radiator repair workersRadiator repair workers Rubber industryRubber industry Solid waste productionSolid waste production Stained-glass makersStained-glass makers WeldersWelders
Source: American Family Physician
lower level lead exposure…results
““Deficits in cognitive and academic Deficits in cognitive and academic skills associated with lead exposure skills associated with lead exposure occur at blood lead concentrations occur at blood lead concentrations
lower than 5 μg/dL”lower than 5 μg/dL”
Lanphear, et al. Public Health Reports 2000 (115); 521-529.
lower level lead exposure…results
Study repeatedStudy repeated prospectiveprospective
Similar resultsSimilar results Demonstrable decrements in IQDemonstrable decrements in IQ Effects greatest at lower lead levelsEffects greatest at lower lead levels
Canfield R L, et al. NEJM 348(16):1517.
Two screenings suggested
12 months of age12 months of age anemiaanemia
24 months of age24 months of age levels typically higherlevels typically higher
once before 6 years of age if not done once before 6 years of age if not done previouslypreviously
The only way to know if your child has high lead levels
Ask your doctor for a Ask your doctor for a blood lead testblood lead test
Protect Yourself From Lead…..
Wash your hands before you eat Wash your hands before you eat Take off your shoes at the doorTake off your shoes at the door Eat a healthy diet that includes iron Eat a healthy diet that includes iron
and calciumand calcium
Lead Resources On The Web National Safety CouncilNational Safety Council
http://www.nsc.org/library/facts/lead.htmhttp://www.nsc.org/library/facts/lead.htm CDCCDC
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/faq/cdc97a.htmhttp://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/faq/cdc97a.htm American Academy of PediatricsAmerican Academy of Pediatrics
http://www.aap.org/http://www.aap.org/ Alliance To End Childhood Lead PoisoningAlliance To End Childhood Lead Poisoning
http://www.aeclp.org/http://www.aeclp.org/ National Institute of Environmental Health ServicesNational Institute of Environmental Health Services
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/lead.htmhttp://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/lead.htm The Lead GroupThe Lead Group
http://www.lead.org.au/fs-index.htmlhttp://www.lead.org.au/fs-index.html Housing Urban Development (HUD)Housing Urban Development (HUD)
http://www.HUD.gov/offices/lead/http://www.HUD.gov/offices/lead/
Points of Contact
National Lead Information CenterNational Lead Information Center 1-800-424-LEAD1-800-424-LEAD
EPA’s Safe Drinking Water HotlineEPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline 1-800-426-47911-800-426-4791
Consumer Products Safety Commission HotlineConsumer Products Safety Commission Hotline 1-800-638-27721-800-638-2772
Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Office of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Office of Lead Hazard ControlLead Hazard Control 202-755-1785202-755-1785
Points of Contact
Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug CenterRocky Mountain Poison & Drug Center 303-739-1123303-739-1123 1-800-332-30731-800-332-3073
Colorado Department of Public Health & Colorado Department of Public Health & EnvironmentEnvironment 1-800-886-76891-800-886-7689
Blood-Lead TestingBlood-Lead Testing Contact your doctor Contact your doctor