Give Your Child A Chance: Stop Childhood Lead Poisoning By: Hamiyda Scipio May 3, 2009 Aspect of Environmental Health: Local to Global Walden University Give your child a chance: stop childhood lead poisoning by Hamiyda Scipio.

FACT Fact.

Nearly 1 million children living in the United States have blood lead levels high enough to impair the ability to think, concentrate, and learn. CDC, 2000 Nearly one million children living in the United States have blood lead levels high enough to impair the ability to think, concentrate, and learn (CDC, 2000).

FACT Fact

Children between ages one and three are at greatest risk because of normal hand-to- mouth activity and the increase in mobility during their second and third years which makes lead hazards more accessible to them. CDC, 2000 Children between ages one and three are at greatest risk because of normal hand-to-mouth activity and the increase in mobility during their second and third years which makes lead hazards more accessible to them (CDC, 2000).

FACT Fact

Major progress on lead poisoning has been achieved through a combination of primary prevention measures that been eliminated major sources of lead exposure and through secondary prevention programs that ensure screening and intervention for children who have already been poisoned. CDC, 2000 Major progress on lead poisoning has been achieved through a combination of primary prevention measures that have been eliminated major sources of lead exposure and through secondary prevention programs that ensure screening and intervention for children who have already been poisoned (CDC, 2000).

Does your child sometimes feel……… Does your child sometime feel…..

Persistent tiredness or hyperactivity Irritability Loss of appetite Weight loss Reduce attention span Difficulty sleeping Constipation Does your child sometimes experience symptom such as being tired, hyperactive, irritable, loss of appetite, weight loss, reduce attention span, difficulty sleeping, and constipated?

These are all sign of LEAD POSIONING! Well these may all be signs of lead poisoning.

Where is Lead Found? Where is lead found?

Lead based paint in older housing Contaminate dust and soil Gasoline usually found in houses older than 1978 window (sills), door, stairs, banisters Contaminate dust and soil Gasoline In 1978 EPA decrease the amount of lead used in gas Pipes in household In 1988 Congress restrict the use of lead pipes in public water supplies Food Can 1995 the US banned the use of lead solders Vinyl mini blinds Ceramic Ware Pottery Lead smelter Lead can be found in lead based paint in older housing, in contaminated dust and soil, gasoline, pipes in household, food can, vinyl mini blinds, ceramic ware, and lead smelter. Reference In 1995 the US banned the use of lead solders (EPA, 1998). In 1988 Congress restrict the use of lead in pipes in public water supplies (EPA, 1998). In 1978 EPA decreased the amount of lead used in gas (EPA, 1998).

What are the health affect of lead in children?

Nervous system and kidney damage Poor muscle coordination Decreased muscle and bone growth Hearing damage Anemia Seizures Unconsciousness Death Learning disabilities Attention deficit disorder Decreased intelligence Speech, language, and behavior problem Lead nervous system and kidney damage, poor muscle coordination, decreased muscle growth, hearing damage, learning abilities, attention deficit disorder, decreased intelligence, and speech, language, and behavior problems. In severe cases lead can cause anemia, seizures, unconsciousness, and even death.

What Should You Do To Protect Your Child?

Wash children hand frequently Cover dirt with grass Get your child tested Get your home tested clean frequently Wipe away paint chips Eat balanced meals Wash children hand frequently Cover dirt with grass You should get you child and home tested for lead. Make sure you are feeding your child balanced meals. Wash children hands frequently. If your soil is contaminated with lead you should plant grass.

Have more concerns…. If you have anymore concerns.

Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry U.S. Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development National Center for Environmental Health CDC-Lead Poisoning Prevention Program EPA Lead Resource Center The National Lead Information Center 1-800-424-LEAD NIEHS-Lead Poisoning Fitchburg Lead Action Group (FLAG) Your Public Health Department You should contact any of the follow agencies for more information about lead.

Reference EPA. (1998). Lead in Your Home: A Parent’s Reference Guide. Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved on April 30, 2009 from www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadrev.pdf CDC. (2000). Eliminating Childhood Poisoning: A Federal Strategy Targeting Lead Paint Hazards. Retrieved on April 30, 2009 from www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/about/fedstrategy20 00.pdf