Lead poisoning is a disease that is most commonly associated to lead paint and its dust. In the 1970s, lead paint was outlawed, but remains a problem due to the dilapidating buildings in many urban areas. Nearly 75% of residences nationwide built before 1978 contain lead paint, and houses built prior to 1960 could contain lead paint with 50% lead concentrations.  Other sources of lead poisoning are: water, soil, some industrial sources, and some forms of pottery and china. These, however, are not as prevalent in lead poisoning cases.

Lead poisoning is most dangerous to children under the age of seven. Children of this age range are more susceptible to lead poisoning because of the high rate of hand-to-mouth activity at this time, and the high rate at which their gastrointestinal tracts absorb lead. Simply put, young children are more likely to put their fingers in their mouth,  so those who come in contact with lead are causing  lead to enter their systems, where it will be absorbed in at an alarming rate.

Lead poisoning is one of the most common childhood maladies. Lead poisoning can cause: vomiting, hyperactivity, and brain damage that can result in mental retardation, lower IQ, Attention Deficit Disorder, speech impediments, seizures, comas and death.

However, lead poisoning is preventable.
 

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It is a topic of debate as to what level of lead poisoning is dangerous to children. In 1991 the CDC (Center for Disease Control) set 10 micrograms per decimeter as the definition of lead poisoning, but smaller groups (often landlords) claim that lead poisoning is not really dangerous until a higher level. However, the CDC and the NYCDPOH (New York Department of Health) maintain that at 10 mcg/dL, a child should be watched for worsening condition and his home should be searched for possible lead sources. Moreover, the NYCDPOH notes that even at 10 mcg/dL, children can obtain adverse health effects, affecting the brain, kidneys and stomach. But all agree that between 70 and 80 mcg/dL can easily cause death in children. For this reason, The CDC and NYCDOH, highly recommend that children under the age of 7 be tested twice a year for lead poisoning.

Most NYC day cares demand that children be tested for lead poisoning before they will be allowed to enter the day caresís programs for children who are exposed to lead paint may have lead dust on their clothing and could contaminate others.

Surveying the exposure of children to lead is especially important in NYC due to the large amount of depreciating apartment buildings in the area. For this reason, other than testing, the CDC and NYCDOH recommends that if one find their home contains lead paint, they call a professional to remove it.

Also recommended to prevent lead poisoning in children:

•  Housekeeping ­ keeping a clean house lessens the chances of poisoning through dust ­ wet mopping and damp clothes are suggested, dusting and vacuuming spread dust.
•  Keep children away from peeling paint.
• If you find your home contains lead paint, call a professional to remove it.
•  Diets with plenty of iron and calcium, as well as making sure a child is well fed will help reduce the absorption of lead into the childís system. (Lead mimics Calcium in the body, so higher levels of Calcium will buffet some lead damage.)
•  If you suspect that soil around your house may contain lead from old paint, grow grass and bushes to prevent children from direct access.
• If you suspect water to be lead-tainted, let the tap run cold for several minutes (cold water has less chance of being tainted) and cook with cold water. This is only beneficial if plumbing is tainted, not is the cityís water supply is. For information on how to get drinking water tested, call 1-800-426-4791.
•  Do not serve food in pottery that is meant for decorated use; it may contain lead in its glaze.
•  If a family member has a hobby or job that puts them in contact with lead, be aware that a child being exposed through clothing or scrap material that may be brought home.

Lead poisoning also effects adults, causing: high blood pressure, damage to reproductive organs, and  high levels of lead can cause coma, seizures and even death. Other effects are lack of coordination, vomiting, altered conscience, listlessness, bizarre behavior and loss of recently aquired skills. Lead can also cause miscarriage and various birth deffects. For More Information on Lead Poisoning, call 1-800-BAN-LEAD.

For more information on other kinds of lead poisoning see the Data Page.

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