LEAD

LaTonya Wright, Ph.D. studentWalden University

PH 8165-00278Instructor: Dr. Shana Morrell

Spring, 2009

Lead is a soft gray metal that is a naturally occurring element in the earth.

ATSDR. (2007). Lead Toxicity. Agency for Toxic Substance & Disease Registry. Retrieved April, 4, 2009 from http://atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/lead

Lead was banned in the U.S. in 1978.About 83% of older homes builtbefore 1978 may have been paintedwith non- lead paint.


Harmful exposures to lead can be created when lead-based paint is improperly removed from surfaces by dry scraping, sanding, and open flame burning.

Also you can be exposed to lead by: paint, gas, water, children toys, and

medicines.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2009). An introduction to indoor air quality: Lead. Retrieved April 15, 2009, from http:// www.epa.gov/iaq/lead.html

The amount of lead found in dust in the home environment is very important because lead dust levels is a cause for children’s blood lead levels

ATSDR. (2007). Lead Toxicity. Agency for Toxic Substance & Disease Registry. Retrieved April, 4, 2009 from http://attsdr.cdc.gov/csem/lead

Headaches Muscles & joint weakness or pain Excessive tiredness or lethargy Behavioral problems or irritability Difficulty concentrating Loss of appetite Stomach pain, upset stomach or vomiting Constipation

City of Dallas (2006)www.dallascityhall.com/ehs/health_services_lead.html

Lead can affect practically all systems in the body. High levels of lead can cause convulsions, coma, and even death. EPA, 2009).

The effects of lead exposure on fetuses and children can be severe, which include delays in physical & mental development, lower IQ levels, shortened attention spans, increased behavioral problems.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2009). An introduction to indoor air quality: Lead. Retrieved April 15, 2009, from http://www.epa.gov/iaq/lead.html

The only way to tell is by getting a blood test There are lead Screening Guidelines for all Texas

Children It is recommended that all children have a blood lead

test at 1 year old and 2 years old. It is a requirement for (Medicaid and TH steps clients).

All blood lead results are reported to Texas Department of State Health Services Lead Registry.

City of Dallas (2006). www.Dallascityhall.com/ehs/health _services_lead. html

According to CDC, (2006)Dallas County had 38,115 children that were tested for lead, 121 were confirmed lead cases.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) www.cdc.gov

There are several things that can be done to reduce the risk of lead exposure such as :

Keep areas where children play as dust free as possible Leave lead-based paint undisturbed if it is in good condition Do not bring lead based paint into your home If you work or have a hobby that involves lead, change

clothes before entering your home Eat a balanced diet, rich in calcium and iron.


Parents can reduce their children’s exposure to lead by : Make sure all paint is in good condition Wash children's hands often If your home was built before 1978 have it tested for lead. If you work around lead paint, wash your hand carefully & change

clothes before going home


Many children live in communities that aredisproportionately impacted by environmentalexposures. Improving the health and environment of these children should be a major priority.Healthy children grow into healthy adults. The health of our children is one of the most important investments that we can make and it should be among our top priorities.

CEHN.( 2006)Children and Lead. Children’s Environmental Health network. Retrieved April 16, 2009 from http://www.cehn.org/cehn/resourceguide/lead.html

West Dallas Multipurpose Center- Walk- in site- Monday – Friday

The city offers free lead testing sites in various zip codes through out the year.

Contact the City of Dallas Lead Program for more information at (214) 670-7663

City of Dallas, (2006). City of Dallas www.

dallascityhall.com/ehs/health_services_lead.html

In Texas the contact person is at the Texas Department of State Health Services( DSHS) http://www dshs.state.tx.us/lead/default

City of Dallas Department of Environmental & Health Services Childhood lead Poisoning Prevention Program

City of Dallas, (2006). City of Dallas www. Dallascityhall.com/ehs/health_services_lead.html

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) www. cdc.govAgency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry( ATSDR) www. Atsdr.gov


CEHN.( 2006)Children and Lead. Children’s Environmental Health network. Retrieved April 16, 2009 from http://www.cehn.org/cehn/resourceguide/lead.html

City of Dallas (2006).www.dallascityhall.com/ehs/health_services_lead.html


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LEAD