Give Your Child A Chance:Stop Childhood Lead

PoisoningBy: Hamiyda Scipio

May 3, 2009Aspect of Environmental Health: Local to Global

Walden University

FACT

Nearly 1 million children living in the United States have blood lead levels high enough to impair the ability to think, concentrate, and learn.

◦ CDC, 2000

FACT

Children between ages one and three are at greatest risk because of normal hand-to-mouth activity and the increase in mobility during their second and third years which makes lead hazards more accessible to them.

◦ CDC, 2000

FACT

Major progress on lead poisoning has been achieved through a combination of primary prevention measures that been eliminated major sources of lead exposure and through secondary prevention programs that ensure screening and intervention for children who have already been poisoned.

◦ CDC, 2000

Does your child sometimes feel………

Persistent tiredness or hyperactivity Irritability Loss of appetite Weight loss Reduce attention span Difficulty sleeping Constipation

These are all sign of LEAD POSIONING!

Where is Lead Found?

Lead based paint in older housing◦ usually found in houses older than 1978◦ window (sills), door, stairs, banisters

Contaminate dust and soil Gasoline

◦ In 1978 EPA decrease the amount of lead used in gas Pipes in household

◦ In 1988 Congress restrict the use of lead pipes in public water supplies Food Can

◦ 1995 the US banned the use of lead solders Vinyl mini blinds Ceramic Ware

◦ Pottery Lead smelter

What are the health affect of lead in children?

Nervous system and kidney damage

Poor muscle coordination

Decreased muscle and bone growth

Hearing damage Anemia Seizures Unconsciousness Death

Learning disabilities

Attention deficit disorder

Decreased intelligence

Speech, language, and behavior problem

What Should You Do To Protect Your Child?

Get your child tested Get your home tested

◦ clean frequently◦ Wipe away paint chips

Eat balanced meals Wash children hand frequently Cover dirt with grass

Have more concerns….

Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry U.S. Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Department of Housing and Urban

Development National Center for Environmental Health CDC-Lead Poisoning Prevention Program EPA

◦ Lead Resource Center The National Lead Information Center

◦ 1-800-424-LEAD NIEHS-Lead Poisoning Fitchburg Lead Action Group (FLAG) Your Public Health Department

EPA. (1998). Lead in Your Home: A Parent’s Reference Guide. Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved on April 30, 2009 from www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadrev.pdf

CDC. (2000). Eliminating Childhood Poisoning: A Federal Strategy Targeting Lead Paint Hazards. Retrieved on April 30, 2009 from www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/about/fedstrategy2000.pdf

Reference