Public Health Services A Shared Service of Cape Breton District Health Authority (CBDHA) &

1. Public Health Services A Shared Service of Cape Breton District Health Authority (CBDHA) & Guysborough Antigonish Strait Health Authority (GASHA)

2. Brochure

3. Learning Objectives • Identify sources of lead • Discuss health effects of lead • Review actions for reducing exposures to lead

4. Lead Sources • Naturally occurring • Blue – gray metal • Used in • Batteries • Bullets • Solder and lead pipes • Ceramic glazes and lead crystal • Medical, scientific and military equipment • Devices that block X-rays

5. Lead and the Environment • Air – from burning coal and oil, lead smelters, burning solid wastes • Drinking water, from lead pipes, and solder • Rivers, lakes, and oceans contaminated by industry wastes, sewage or air

6. Lead and the Environment • Dust and soil, especially in old urban areas with lead paint and around landfills • Food – builds up in the food chain • Paint – banned in 1978 but still around

7. Foods that may contain lead How Are We ExposedIngestion (1) • Fruits • Vegetables • Meats • Grains • Seafood • Soft drinks • Wine

8. Drinking or cooking with water that contains lead, lead dust from paint, or soil contaminated with lead Hand – to – mouth Playing activities Trinkets and toys made outside Canada Paint chips How Are We ExposedIngestion (2) Water Children

9. How Are We ExposedInhalation • Dust from lead or soil • Cigarette smoke • Candles with lead core wicks

10. Nausea Abdominal pain Vomiting Headache Muscle weakness & muscle pain Behavior problems Insomnia Memory loss Impotence In severe cases Brain and or kidney damage Coma Convulsions Death Lead and Your Health

11. Children’s Special Concerns Children are more vulnerable to the effects of lead for several reasons : • Have a higher adsorption rate from GI tract, particularly if they are iron deficient • Exposed in womb and through breast milk in addition to food and water • Play in the dirt, are lower to the ground, perform hand – to – mouth activities

12. Effects on Children • Low birth weight • Growth delays • Mental delays • Learning disabilities • Muscle weakness • Stomach cramps • Anemia • Kidney & brain damage

13. Measuring Exposure in the Body Blood lead level can be tested (talk to your doctor)

14. How to Reduce Risk From Lead – Based Paint • Have home tested for lead, especially if built before 1978 • Use proper protective equipment during renovations • Wash hands frequently, especially before eating • Ensure proper nutrition to counteract the effect of lead exposure • Control dust in house, use a Hepa filter vacuum

15. Wash hands frequently, especially before eating Do not eat, drink, or smoke while working outside Wash vegetables thoroughly if grown in soil with high lead levels Control dust in your home Vacuum, wet mop and dust with a damp cloth Eat a balanced diet Cover bare soil in your yard with grass or plants Take shoes off at the door How to Reduce risk From Contaminated Soil

16. How to Reduce Risk From Contaminated Water • Have well-water tested for lead • Run water 15 – 30 seconds if you have lead pipes or lead solder • Do not use hot water from the tap • Do not pour products that contain lead or chemicals down the drain or in sewer

17. How to Reduce Risk From Exposure at Work • Use proper protective equipment to prevent exposure to lead dust If exposed at work : • Shower and change at work • Keep work clothes separate

18. Recommended blood lead testing for all children under 2 Blood lead level over 10 mcg/dl requires action Actions include Centers for Disease Control (Policy) • Risk assessment to determine source of exposure • Follow up of elevated BLL’s

19. Resources • ATSDR ToxFAQ’s www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts13.pdf • Health Canada www.hc-gc.ca

20. In Review • What is lead and how are we exposed to it • How does lead affect health • How can we reduce our exposure to lead