AN OVERVIEW OF LEAD POISONING AND ITS RISKS AND ASSOCIATED BLOOD

LEAD LEVELS IN CHILDRENTanya Y. Withers, MPH Student

Walden UniversityPH 6165 – 8

Instructor: Dr. Jean JohnsonSpring, 2009

LEARNING OBJECTIVES Definition of lead and lead poisoning Areas where lead is found The number of children that are affected by lead poisoning in the U.S. and

in the state of Georgia on an annual basis Symptoms of lead poisoning in children and newborns Risks associated with lead poisoning Techniques to prevent lead poisoning Techniques to reduce blood lead levels CDC’s National Goals for Lead Poisoning

• Note: All photos are courtesy of Clip Art (Microsoft Office)

LEAD“Lead is a highly toxic metal found in small amounts in the earth’s crust”

National Institute Of Environmental Health Science - National Institutes Of Health. (2009, January 2). Lead. Retrieved April 8, 2009, from http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agent/lead

WHERE IS LEAD FOUND? Toys Paint Contaminated Soil Household Dust Drinking Water Lead Crystal Lead-Glazed Pottery Home Remedies Cosmetics

National Institute Of Environmental Health Science - National Institutes Of Health. (2009, January 2). Lead. Retrieved April 8, 2009, from http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/lead/

LEAD POISONING A medical condition in which lead levels

within the blood stream become elevated

Can occur by inhaling or swallowing the actual product

May occur over a period of months to a period of years

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2009, April 8). Lead poisoning. Retrieved April 9, 2009, from MayoClinic Web site: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/lead-poisoning/fl00068

WHAT IS THE BLOOD LEAD LEVELS WITHIN SOMEONE’S BLOODSTREAM

WHERE THEY MAY NEED TO SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE FROM A DOCTOR?

Blood Lead Levels

BLOOD LEAD LEVELS

Answer: Greater than 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood

HOW MANY CHILDREN ARE AFFECTED BY LEAD

POISONING EVERY YEAR? Annually, 310,000 children between the ages of 1 to 5 years of

age have blood levels that are considered to require medical attention (levels in these cases are greater than 10 micrograms) (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009).

Within the State of Georgia, an estimated 3% of children are affected by lead poisoning (approximately 17,000 children under the age of 6) (Georgia Nursing Association, 2003).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). Lead. Retrieved April 10, 2009, from National Center for Environmental Health Web site: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/faq/about.htm

Georgia Nursing Association (2003). Childhood lead poisoning in Georgia. Georgia Nursing, 1-2.

SYMPTOMS OF LEAD POISONING IN NEWBORNS Learning difficulties Slowness in growth and development

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2009, April 8). Lead poisoning. Retrieved April 10, 2009, from MayoClinic Web site: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/lead-poisoning/fl00068

SYMPTOMS OF LEAD POISONING IN CHILDREN

Irritability Loss of appetite Weight loss Fatigue Abdominal pain Vomiting Constipation Unusual paleness from anemia Learning Difficulties

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2009, April 8). Lead poisoning. Retrieved April 10, 2009, from MayoClinic Web site: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/lead-poisoning/fl00068

WHO IS AT RISK FOR GETTING LEAD POISONING? Babies and children under the age of 6 Children living in older homes Children whose families have lower-income

and/or are living in below the level of poverty

Children amongst particular racial and ethnic backgrounds

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). Lead. Retrieved April 10, 2009, from National Center for Environmental Health Web site: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/faq/about.htm

RISK OF LEAD POISONING IN HOMES

May occur in homes built before 1978

HOW CAN WE PREVENT LEAD POISONING?

Avoid children’s contact with lead Seek medical treatment for children who are poisoned

by lead Removal of potential lead hazards in children’s

environments Educate children, families, school personnel, others in

the public as well as medical personnel of the hazards associated with lead poisoning

Children and babies who are at risk of lead poisoning should be tested and immediately receive treatment(if necessary)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). Lead. Retrieved April 10, 2009, from National Center for Environmental Health Web site: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/faq/about.htm

WHAT CAN WE DO TO POTENTIALLY REDUCE HIGH LEVELS OF LEAD WITHIN OUR BLOODSTREAM?

Consult with a doctor if you are concerned or a family member is concerned about the risk of exposure to lead

Consult with state and local health departments about lead testing in your home (especially if your home is 30 or more years of age)

Frequently mop floors Practice frequent hand-washing at home and at school Frequently wash toys, pacifiers and other objects that can be

contaminated with lead Use cold tap water for drinking, cooking, etc at home and at

school Refrain from using home remedies and/or cosmetics that may

contain lead

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). Lead. Retrieved April 10, 2009, from National Center for Environmental Health Web site: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/faq/about.htm

NATIONAL GOALS FOR REDUCING LEAD POISONING AND LEAD EXPOSURE BY THE

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC)

Identify and provide services to those children who have high level of lead within their blood

Target and identify areas and neighborhoods that are at a high risk of getting lead poisoning

Provide resources for all areas that are a high risk of potential lead poisoning

Identify populations at special risk of being exposed to lead paint and other potential lead hazards

Continue to oversee areas where children are at risk of exposure to lead poisoning and provide cost-effective programs to manage and maintain low-levels of lead poisoning once the 2010 initiatives have been achieved by the CDC’s goalsBrown, M. J. (2008). Childhood lead poisoning prevention: Getting the job done by 2010. Journal of Environmental Health, 70(6), 56 - 57.

REFERENCES

Brown, M. J. (2008). Childhood lead poisoning prevention: Getting the job done by 2010. Journal of Environmental Health, 70(6), 56 - 57.

Georgia Nursing Association (2003). Childhood lead poisoning in Georgia. Georgia Nursing, 1-2.

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2009, April 8). Lead poisoning. Retrieved April 10, 2009, from MayoClinic Web site: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/lead-poisoning/fl00068

National Institute of Environmental Health Science - National Institutes of Health. (2009, January 2). Lead. Retrieved April 8, 2009, from http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/lead/

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). Lead. Retrieved April 10, 2009, from National Center for Environmental Health Web site: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/faq/about.htm

THE END

COMMENTS OR

QUESTIONS?