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Fewer kids at risk for lead poisoning
New gasoline formulas bring a dramatic drop; other
hazards persist
by Hugh McDiarmid, Jr., Detroit Free Press, January 9,
2003
For more articles visit
www.bridges4kids.org.
The number of children at risk for brain damage and learning
disabilities from lead poisoning has dropped by nearly
two-thirds since the early 1990s, according to federal
statistics obtained by the Free Press.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates
that 300,000 children between ages 1 and 5 have unsafe levels
of lead in their blood, according to survey data collected in
1999 and 2000, said Pam Meyer, a health scientist with the
CDC's Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch.
That's a dramatic drop from an estimated 890,000 kids with
high lead levels in a 1991-94 survey. And it is a fraction of
the estimated 14.9 million lead-poisoned kids in the late
1970s -- before the effects of a ban on leaded gasoline became
evident. CDC officials said they expect to publish the data in
the next several weeks.
"This comes as great news. Clearly, we're in the range where
we can get our arms around this problem," Don Ryan, executive
director of the Washington, D.C.-based Alliance to End
Childhood Lead Poisoning, said Wednesday.
But with an estimated 300,000 kids being poisoned nationally
and 39 million U.S. homes at significant risk for lead paint
hazards, it's no cause for celebration, Ryan warned. And in
Detroit, and other urban areas, children continue to be
poisoned at much higher rates, experts said.
Dr. Herbert Needleman, a longtime researcher on the health
effects of lead on children, noted that some research
indicates the current CDC definition of an "elevated"
blood-lead level -- 10 micrograms per deciliter -- may be too
high. The research shows behavioral, health and learning
problems at much lower levels. If those children were included
in the count, the CDC's estimate would be much higher,
Needleman said.
"Three hundred thousand is no number to sneeze at, and there
is new data that shows effects at levels below 10," said
Needleman, a professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at the
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
"It is a good sign, but it doesn't mean that we should stop
worrying about it."
The national averages compiled by the CDC are not reflective
of urban areas like Detroit, where lead poisoning is more
prevalent. In such cities, families often live in older,
dilapidated homes where peeling and flaking lead paint can
have devastating effects. Children often inhale lead dust
created from the friction of windows and doors, or eat paint
chips because of the distinct sweet taste that lead gives
them.
Homes built before the 1978 ban on lead paint may have some
hazards, and pre-1950 homes usually have especially high
concentrations of leaded paint.
The new federal statistics don't include breakdowns by states
or cities, but numbers compiled by the Michigan Department of
Community Health show that 10.7 percent of Detroit children
tested for lead in 2001 had elevated levels -- a rate about
five times higher than the CDC's nationwide estimate.
"The message we want to tell people is that it's critical to
get their kids tested for lead, especially kids younger than
6," said William Ridella, general manager of the Detroit
Health Department.
Lead can do permanent damage to the developing brains and
nervous systems of young children, reducing IQ, slowing
growth, triggering behavioral problems and a host of other
ailments -- including headaches, hearing trouble and irregular
sleeping habits.
The new data is part of the CDC's National Health and
Nutrition Examination Survey, which collects information about
the health and diet of people in the United States using
interviews and health tests in a mobile examination center.
The survey uses scientific methods to get a representative
sampling of Americans. As part the 1999-2000 survey, 723 of
the participating children were tested for lead.
Because data is still being analyzed, the estimate of 300,000
children with elevated lead levels is subject to revision. The
final number could be as low as 185,700 and as high as
640,000, CDC officials said.
PREVENTING LEAD POISONING
Sources of lead
Lead-based paint. It's often found in homes built before 1978,
but homes built before 1950 are at greatest risk.
House dust can be contaminated from flaking paint, especially
along windows and doorjambs.
Soil can be contaminated from the exhaust of leaded gasoline,
industrial emissions and flaking lead paint.
Drinking water, some ceramic dishes and home health remedies
can sometimes contain lead.
What you can do
Talk to your doctor about having your child tested.
Wet-mop and wet-dust weekly with a solution of automatic
dishwasher detergent, which attracts lead dust. Pay special
attention to window wells.
Feed children a balanced diet that is high in calcium and
iron, which helps reduce lead they absorb.
Wash children's toys, pacifiers and hands frequently,
especially before meals.
Avoid tracking soil into the house.
For more information, contact: The National Lead Information
Center: 800-424-5323.
Contact HUGH McDIARMID JR. at 248-586-2611 or
mcdiarmidjr@freepress.com.
Wendy Wendland-Bowyer contributed to this report.
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