Focus on Pediatrics: Lead still a hazard for small children
October 1, 2002 3 minutes read
Good maintenance key in preventing poisoning
Although the federal government banned lead use in paint nearly 25 years ago, lead poisoning still is a major environmental health problem affecting about 900,000 children every year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Washington, DC. That’s why this agency has designated Oct. 20-26, 2002, as National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. The awareness week is part of the October celebration of Children’s Health Month.
The two most important audiences for the message on lead poisoning prevention are parents of children at risk of lead poisoning and property owners who may have or could create lead hazards in their properties where children live, says Robert Camara, MPA, coordinator of communications and outreach for the National Program Chemicals Division of the EPA.
Children most at risk are younger than 6 years old and live in homes built before 1978 when lead-based paint was used. Homes built before 1960 have the most lead-based paint. Young children’s bodies absorb more lead, which can damage the development of their brains and central nervous system, resulting in learning problems, slowed growth, and hearing problems.
Lead gets into children’s bodies when they are around peeling or chipping leaded paint or lead dust and they breath it or put their hands or objects in their mouth.
Owners of older homes need to know that lead paint is a hazard when it is deteriorated or when it is on a surface children can chew. It also is a hazard if it is dry-scraped, sanded, or heated creating dust. Soil where children play can be contaminated around homes that have chipping or peeling leaded paint on the outside.
"Lead-based paint is usually not a hazard when it is in good condition, and it is not on an impact or friction surface, like a window," says Camara.
While homes built before 1978 that are not well maintained are a problem, an even greater problem are those older model homes that are being remodeled or renovated. Every parent should know how to prevent lead poisoning, he cautions, and recommends that parents:
- Have their home checked for lead if it was built before 1978, especially if they are planning on remodeling. If any lead hazards are found, they should hire a professional to fix them.
- Have their children tested for lead poisoning. Blood tests are recommended for children at ages 1 and 2.
- Contact the National Lead Information Center in Silver Spring, MD, at (800) 424-5323.
- Visit the EPA’s Lead Awareness Program web site at www.epa.gov/lead.
For more information about lead poisoning prevention, contact:
- Robert Camara, MPA, Coordinator, Communications and Outreach, National Program Chemicals Division, US EPA-Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W. (7404T), Washington, DC 20460. Telephone: (202) 566-1979.
- National Lead Information Center, 801 Roeder Road, Suite 600, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Telephone: (800) 424-LEAD (5323).
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