An overview of Lead poisoning and its risks and associated blood lead levels in children Tanya Y. Withers, MPH Student Walden University PH 6165 – 8 Instructor: Dr. Jean Johnson Spring, 2009 Good morning everyone and welcome to today’s presentation. I would like to extend a warm welcome to the students and staff members of Rock Chapel Elementary School (Lithonia, Georgia). My name is Tanya Y. Withers and my background is in social Work. Currently, I am a candidate in the MPH program at Walden University. I would like for this presentation to be informative, and enjoyable. Should you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please feel free to stop me at any time during the presentation.

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) At the end of this presentation, you will know the definition of lead poisoning, areas where lead can be found, the number of children that are affected by lead poisoning in the United States and in Georgia on an annual basis, known symptoms of lead poisoning in newborns as well as children, the risks associated with lead poisoning, techniques to prevent lead poisoning and to reduce elevated lead levels in the bloodstream, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Goals for lead poisoning.

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 The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences defines lead as “a highly toxic metal found in small amounts in the earth’s crust” (2009).

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 can be found in a number of places. These include, but are not limited to; toys, paint, contaminated soil, household dust, drinking water, lead crystal, lead-glazed pottery, home remedies, and cosmetics.

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 Lead poisoning is a medical condition where lead levels become elevated in the blood. This situation can occur by actually inhaling or swallowing lead itself. This can occur over a period of months to years.

Blood Lead Levels What is the blood lead levels within someone’s bloodstream where they may need to seek medical advice from a doctor? Question: Would anyone like to guess what level of lead in the bloodstream requires medical attention? Answer: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2009), any lead levels within the blood that are “greater than 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood” the person should seek medical advice and/or treatment by a physician.

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. Lead poisoning is a very serious condition. It affects approximately 310,000 children from the ages of 1 to 5 within the United States annually. However, in our state (Georgia) approximately 17,000 children under the age of 6 are affected by lead poisoning.

Symptoms of Lead Poisoning in Newborns Learning difficulties Slowness in growth and development The symptoms of lead poisoning that are associated with newborn babies include, but are not limited to; difficulties learning in addition to 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 There are many symptoms that are associated with lead poisoning in children. These symptoms include, but are not limited to; irritability, loss of appetite, weight loss, feeling tired, abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, paleness that may be associated with anemia, and learning difficulties.

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 Those children that are at risks for getting lead poisoning are babies and children under the age of 6, children living in older homes, those who have lower incomes, and those of certain racial groups. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “for example, 3% of black children compared to 1.3% of white children have elevated blood lead levels” which can result in lead poisoning.

Risk of lead Poisoning in Homes May occur in homes built before 1978 As we previously discussed, it is important to be aware that older homes built before 1978 are likely to contain lead-based paint (either on the interior or the exterior).

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 As student, families, staff, medical personnel and other in the community, there are a number of things that we can do to prevent lead poisoning in our home and communities. These techniques include: avoiding contact with lead, seeking medical treatment if we are poisoned by lead or have any symptoms associated with lead, removing potential lead hazards in our environment, educating everyone of the hazards that are associated with lead poisoning, those who are at risk for lead poisoning should be tested and treated immediately if necessary.

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 If we have elevated blood levels of lead poisoning or we know someone that has this condition, then we can do a number of things to reduce elevated blood levels. These techniques include: consulting a doctor if we are concerned or a family member is concerned about their potential exposure to lead, contract the state and/or local health departments for lead testing in our homes, mop floor frequently, wash toys and other objects that can be contaminated with lead frequently, use cold tap water for drinking and cooking, and refrain from using products that are known to contain lead.

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 goals Brown, M. J. (2008). Childhood lead poisoning prevention: Getting the job done by 2010. Journal of Environmental Health, 70(6), 56 - 57. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is a nationally agency has set goals for 2010 aimed at the reduction of lead poisoning among children, households and families. These goals include the following: identify and provide services for children who have elevated levels of lead within their blood greater than 10 while expanding programs and services geared at the prevention of lead poisoning, focus on areas within ones community where the risk for lead exposure is particularly high and provide research to address these issues in the areas that have been designated, those populations that are at risk should be identified and the potential of exposure of lead via paint and other objects should be eliminated, once the designated goals of reducing elevated blood levels have been achieve continue to develop activities geared at surveillance of children’s exposure to lead and continue to develop cost-effective methods to keep blood levels low.

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 These are the references used for today’s presentation if you would like more information on this subject.

The End This is the end of the presentation.

Comments or Questions? At this time, I would like to ask if anyone has any questions or comments related to lead exposure and/or lead poisoning?