120 likes | 392 Views
Lead Poisoning. St. Albans Health Department. Lead P oisoning in Children. One of the most common environmental child health problems today Caused by too much lead in the body Especially harmful to children under 6 years of age. Lead poisoning can cause…. Brain damage Mental retardation
E N D
Lead Poisoning St. Albans Health Department
Lead Poisoning in Children • One of the most common environmental child health problems today • Caused by too much lead in the body • Especially harmful to children under 6 years of age
Lead poisoning can cause… • Brain damage • Mental retardation • Behavior problems • Liver and kidney damage • Hearing loss • Developmental delays • Death (in extreme cases)
How are we exposed to lead? • Dust from deteriorated paint • Paint • Soil • Drinking water
Lead in Paint • 74% of houses built in the U.S. before 1978 contain lead paint • Heavily-leaded paint was used in most homes built before the 1950s
Lead in Dust • High levels of dust found on windowsills and in window wells • Results from flaking paint or friction of lead paint surfaces or from soil containing lead
Lead in Soil • Soil contaminated by • peeling exterior paint • leaded car exhaust • pollution from industry • Highest lead levels in soil found close to foundations painted with lead paint
Lead in Water • About 20% of lead exposure comes from drinking water • Lead leaches into water from • old lead pipes and service lines • home plumbing • Leaded solder still in use until 1980s • Faucets and fittings may contain 8% lead
Measuring Lead • Can be measured only by blood lead test • Blood lead levels in children • Less than 10 ug/dL currently considered normal • 10 19 ug/dL mild lead poisoning