Lead Poisoning Issues
Dec 31, 2015
Lead Poisoning Issues
PAINT• 1892 Australia 1892 Australia
first diagnosis of first diagnosis of childhood lead childhood lead poisoning poisoning
•1904 lead poisoning linked to paint•1909 European countries ban white
lead interior paint
• 1971 Lead Based Paint 1971 Lead Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act Poisoning Prevention Act passed in USpassed in US
• 1992 Title X created the Real 1992 Title X created the Real Estate Notification & Disclosure Estate Notification & Disclosure RuleRule
pre-1978 housing targeted as pre-1978 housing targeted as specifically needing attentionspecifically needing attention
• 1922 Public Health Service warns 1922 Public Health Service warns of of dangers from fueldangers from fuel
• 1923 leaded gas publicly available
GAS
•1854 tetraethyl lead discovered•1921 “discovery” that lead in gas curbs knock
Lead from…• DeterioratinDeterioratin
g interior g interior and exterior and exterior leaded paintleaded paint
• Legacy of leaded gasoline emissions
ends up in
Dust
& SoilIn dust, lead:In dust, lead:
- comes from deteriorating paint- comes from deteriorating paint- is easily inhaled or ingested- is easily inhaled or ingested
In soil, lead:In soil, lead:- does not biodegrade- does not biodegrade- stays in the top several - stays in the top several
inchesinches- adds to dust tracked inside- adds to dust tracked inside
Ingestion/inhalation of:Ingestion/inhalation of:
paint chips = acute high level paint chips = acute high level exposureexposure
dust and soil = chronic dust and soil = chronic exposure exposure at lower at lower but still but still damaging levelsdamaging levels
The Others
• IndustrialIndustrial• Occupational Occupational
exposureexposure• Plumbing fixtures Plumbing fixtures
or solderor solder
- Water- Water• Ceramics/crystalCeramics/crystal
•HobbiesHobbies•Home medicinesHome medicines•ToysToys•JewelryJewelry•FoodFood
KIDS AT RISK
• Play in the dirtPlay in the dirt• Put their hands in Put their hands in
their mouthstheir mouths• Have faster Have faster
metabolismmetabolism• Higher intake to Higher intake to
bodyweight ratiobodyweight ratio• Still developing Still developing
blood/brain barrierblood/brain barrier
Lead poisoning affects…
Children:Children:• Hinders brain developmentHinders brain development• Slows physical growthSlows physical growth• Alters behaviorAlters behavior• Takes the placeTakes the place
of calcium in the of calcium in the
bodybody• Lowers IQLowers IQ
AdultsAdults• Pregnant womenPregnant women
- Miscarriages- Miscarriages- Retardation- Retardation
Lead poisoning affects…
•OccupationalOccupational- Workers- Workers- Workers’ families - Workers’ families (take home poisons)(take home poisons)
the Scope of the Problem…
Nationally, 310,000 children aged 1-5 have elevated blood lead
levels
the Scope of the Problem…
38M homes have lead-based paint
24M of these homes have significant lead hazards
>10M renovations are conducted annually in homes which contain lead-based paint
Sources of Information
General info: 1-800-424-LEAD
Pamphlets: call Government Printing Office at 202-512-1800
Internet: www.epa.gov/leadInternet: www.epa.gov/lead