Childhood Lead Poisoning
Did you know?
Lead poisoning is one of the most preventable environment-related health problems of young children, but nearly 1 million children less than 6 years of age have elevated blood lead levels.
Lead poisoning often occurs with no obvious symptoms, and frequently goes unrecognized. Lead poisoning can affect nearly every organ system in the body.
Lead poisoning can cause learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and, at very high levels, seizures, coma, and even death.
Definition:
The number of children aged 0-4 years reported with Blood Lead Levels (BLL) greater than or equal to 10 micrograms per deciliter per year per 100,000 children aged 0-4 years in Shasta County.
Year 2010 National Objective:
Zero children with blood lead levels exceeding 10 micrograms per deciliter.
Shasta County Baseline:
28.4 per 100,000 children aged 0-4 years, 1992-94.
Reported children aged 0-4 years with Blood Lead Levels of 10 micrograms or higher Three-Year Three-Year Average Annual Shasta County Rate California Rate Period Total Number Number 1992-1994 10 3.3 28.4 39.8 1993-1995 11 3.7 31.6 43.8 1994-1996 6 2.0 17.8 44.5 1995-1997 6 2.0 18.6 39.3 1996-1998 4 1.3 12.6 34.6 1997-1999 4 1.3 12.5 27.8 1998-2000 2 0.7 6.0 24.1 1999-2001 4 1.3 11.6 22.9 2000-2002 4 1.3 11.4 22.1
SHASTA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH 1
CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING (continued)
Key Points:
Blood lead levels have been steadily decreasing in Shasta County and California since the mid 1990’s when lead was completely removed from gasoline in 1995.
Shasta County BLLs have been consistently lower than California levels, but the gap began to narrow in 1999- 2001.
In Shasta County, BLL rates decreased 60% between 1992-94 and 2000-02..
Rates of elevated BLLs reflect only those children who are screened, and may not reflect the true incidence of Shasta County children with elevated BLLs. Screening is the most important part of detecting and reporting elevated BLLs, as most children have no or mild visible symptoms.
Blood Lead Levels in Exceedence of 10micrograms/dl Children Aged 0-4 Years 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 Rate per 100,000 population 5 0 92-94 94-96 96-98 98-00 00-02 Three-Year Period Shasta County California
2 SHASTA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING (continued)
Primary Prevention Activities:
The only way to know if a child has lead poisoning is to get a blood test for lead. Ask a doctor to test your child if you are concerned about your child being exposed to lead.
All children taking part in government funded programs such as Medi-Cal, WIC, and Head Start are required to be tested for lead poisoning at 12 and 24 months of age.
Lead poisoning can and does occur in any socioeconomic class and children should be screened by their physician.
Never sand, dry scrape, power wash or sandblast paint of pre-1978 homes unless it has been tested for lead. Talk to your state or local health department about testing paint and dust from your home for lead if you live in a house or apartment built before 1978, especially if young children live with you or visit you.
Mop floors, damp-wipe window sills, vacuum, wash all surfaces with household cleaners and frequently wash a child’s hands, pacifiers, and toys to reduce exposure to lead.
Use only cold water from the tap for drinking, cooking, and for making baby formula. Hot water is more likely to contain higher levels of lead, and most of the lead in household water usually comes from the plumbing in your house, not from the local water supply.
Avoid using home remedies (such as arzacon, greta, pay-loo-ah) and cosmetics (such as kohl, alkohl) that contain lead.
Lead is in pots and dishes that are old, handmade or made outside of the U.S. Have these tested for lead before you use them for food or drinks.
Occupations that work with lead include remodeling or painting pre-1978 homes and working with batteries or radiators. If you are exposed to lead at work, change out of your work clothes and shoes and wash or shower before coming home.
Data Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. SHASTA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH 3