Children and Lead Leading children toward lead prevention Yvonne Freeman, Ph.D. student Walden University PH Instructor: Dr. Jeff Wu Summer, 2009

Overview o What is Lead? o How children are exposed? o What are the health risks for children exposed to lead? o Local community statistics o Prevention Strategies o Environmental health approach o Summary o Questions 2

What is Lead? 3 Picture source: Microsoft Office Clip Art 2007

o Lead is a naturally occurring bluish gray metal. It is found in small amounts in the earth’s crust. o Lead can be found in all parts of our environment. Soil, dust, drinking water, air, food and other products o Lead ’s many different uses. Production of batteries Ammunition o Lead past uses Gasoline Paints Picture Source: webmineral.com/lead 4

Exposure sources Lead contamination is often found in the home 5

Health Impact Children exposed to lead can have serious health problems. Neurological Physical Behavior and attention problems Growth Learning difficulties Blood cell development Cognitive losses Kidney function Picture Source: Microsoft Office Clip Art

Statistics RI statistics for lead and children Trends from lead levels Database in RI of properties containing lead violations Overall lead health in RI for children 7

RI cities and Towns Incidence of elevated lead levels Source: RI Department of Health, CLPPP, LESS Database City# of children first time >10 BLL # of children Screened with no previous elevated BLL IncidenceYear 2005 Year 2006 Pawtucket ,731 2, % 1.6% Providence ,539 7, % 3.7%

Properties with Multiple Poisonings Public List The properties contained in this list have been the source of multiple lead poisonings of children, and are not currently lead safe. The listing includes addresses of properties that: 1. are not lead safe (do not have a current Lead Safe Certificate) 2.three (3) or more children lived at the time their blood was tested for lead and at least two (2) of these children were lead poisoned. Source: RI Department of Health, CLPPP, LESS Database Providence60 Pawtucket10 9

Lead health for children in RI o Rhode Island in 2006 had the 2 nd highest percentage of children under the age of 6 with an elevated blood lead level. o Rhode Island’s rate for lead poisoning was 2.4% in 2006 compared to 1.2% for the U.S. Rhode Island has more work to do with regard to protecting the children against lead Source: 2009 Rhode Island KIDS COUNT Fact book 10

Prevention strategies How to protect your child/children from lead poisoning. 1. Wash your child’s hands often, especially before he or she eats. 2. Cover peeling or flaking paint with contact paper or duct tape 3. Wash windows, doorways, floors, and dusty areas often with a wet mop or cloth 4. Pick up loose paint chips and throw them away. 5.Have your child play in grassy areas or in a covered sandbox. Source: RI Department of Health 11

Environmental Health Approach for Lead Health o Identify the population(mainly children)who are at risk for lead poisoning o Identify and or prevent actual or potential environmental risks for lead poisoning in children o Guide intervention strategies that involve community based activities o Improve and encourage policy making at all levels of government o Track and refine guidelines 12

Summary o Lead is …………….. Naturally occurring element o Children are exposed by several sources which are …………………. Water, soil, paint, and toys o The health impact of lead exposure for children are ………………… Both physical and neurological o RI is ranked ………. 12 th in the nation for elevated BLL in children o Prevention strategies include …….. Hand washing, awareness of chipped paint, disposing of chipped paint, and recognizing all exposure sources to prevent your child from being exposed. And in R.I. there is a posting for apartments that have been found not to be lead safe so this is also a source for prevention. o Environmental health approach are ……. multifaceted and involve strategies targeted towards identification of the population at risk, public policy and tracking. 13

For more information/resources on lead health Website: o Childhood Lead Action Project o Help Lead Safe Center ( focus for landlords) o RI Childhood Lead Poisoning Control Program www. health.ri.gov/lead Phone: o The HEALTH Information Line ( for any lead related questions for RI residents)

References Lead mineral photo Microsoft office clip art (2007) Microsoft Office Power Point Presentation Rhode Island Department of Health Lead Program Rhode Island Department of Health Lead Program Rhode Island Kids Count(2009) Rhode Island Kids Count Fact book 15

Questions 16 Picture Source: Microsoft Office Clip Art 2007