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Children are at High Risk. Children 6 years and younger are most at risk because their bodies are still developing Children absorb more lead than adults. Young children have more hand-to-mouth activity than older children. Elevated Blood Lead Levels (BLLs) in Refugee Children.
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Children are at High Risk • Children 6 years and younger are most at risk because their bodies are still developing • Children absorb more lead than adults • Young children have more hand-to-mouth activity than older children
Elevated Blood Lead Levels (BLLs)in Refugee Children • Newly arrived refugee children are twice as likely as U.S. children to have elevated BLLs • Some sub-populations of refugee children are 12-14.5 times more likelyto have elevated BLLs • Data suggest that refugee children are also at risk for elevated BLLs in the U.S. Slide taken from: CDC Recommendations for Lead Poisoning Prevention in Newly Arrived Refugee Children Medical Provider Module
Risk Factors for Elevated BLLs Among Refugees • Living in older homes • Compromised nutritional status • Lack of awareness about the dangers of lead • Cultural practices and traditional medicines
Lead Poisoning Can Cause • Behavior & Learning Problems • Low Intelligence • Hearing Loss • Reduced Growth • Coma • Death
What Can I Do? Wash hands Wash pacifiers and toys Wet-mop floors Wet-wipe surfaces
Take Off Dirty Clothes Remove dirty clothes after work
Prevention Techniques Do Not Drink Run Cold Water Drink or Cook Hot Tap Water for 1 Minute with Cold Water
Medical Assurance: Screening Initial blood lead test • Within 90 days of arrival into the United States Repeat blood lead test • 3 to 6 months after placed in permanent residence
Resources for Refugees • Free Blood Lead Test: 1-800-328-3838 • Refugee Nutrition - Heartland Alliance • Address: 1331 West Albion Avenue Chicago IL 60626 • Phone: 773.751.4091 • Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Resources for Health Promoters • Lead Safe Illinois: Campaign for Lead Safety http://leadsafeillinois.org/ • CDC’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Program for Refugees http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/Lead/Publications/RefugeeToolKit/Refugee_Tool_Kit.htm • Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Lead Safety Info http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/lead/ • Office of Refugee Resettlement http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/
Thank you Any Questions?
February 2009 PowerPoint by Ann Doan, Nicole Gliner, and Zhi Ping Kuang University of Illinois at Chicago Nursing Students