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Lead Poisoning Harms Children by Causing:
Learning Disabilities
Behavioral Problems
Reduced IQ
Attention Deficit Disorder
Developmental Delays
4.4% of preschool children have elevated blood lead levels: nearly one million children age 1-5, enough to fill 35,000 classrooms.
Children at Highest Risk of Being Poisoned:
- Children Under Two Are Especially Vulnerable
- Low Income: 8 Times Higher Risk than Wealthy Children
- African-American : 5 Times Higher Risk than White Children
- Mexican American: Twice As Likely as White Children
- In Older Housing
- Up to 50% in Some Distressed Neighborhoods
Sources of Lead in the U.S.:
- Paint in the U.S.
- Past Gasoline Use
- Industrial Sources
- Drinking Water
- Consumer Products
The #1 Source of Lead Poisoning is Paint in Older Housing
Lead-based paint was banned in the U.S. in 1978
Lead-Based Paint Hazards
Intact paint is rarely the problem; abatement is rarely necessary. Poisonings are mostly caused by exposure to lead dust.
- Lead dust settles on floors and other horizontal surfaces and gets on children's hands and toys
- Lead is also in bare soil
- Children ingest dust from toys and hands during normal hand-to-mouth activity
Lead Dust from Deteriorated Paint caused by:
- Deferred Maintenance
- Building Deterioration
- Water Damage, Other Moisture Problems
- Friction and Impact Surfaces
- Unsafe Renovation/Remodeling
Research Findings
- Lead dust settles quickly on floor, window sill, other surfaces
- Dust lead level is the best yardstick of risk and for determining whether leaded dust has been cleaned up to achieve clearance and dwelling unit is safe for occupancy
- Paint repair can generate lots of lead dust
- Broom sweep won't clean up lead dust
- Lead-contaminated dust is invisible to the naked eye
Lead Safety is Everyone's Job
- Many states license specialists
- Lead evaluation experts
- Lead hazard Control experts
- Everyone who works around old paint needs to control, contain, and clean up lead dust
- Training in lead safety has been developed for painters and remodelers
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