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Preventing Childhood Lead Poisoning What
is lead poisoning? Too much lead in the body can cause serious damage to the brain, kidneys, nervous system and red blood cells. High levels can cause retardation, convulsions, coma and sometimes death. Low levels can slow a child's normal development and cause learning and behavioral problems. Children are more sensitive to lead poisoning than adults because their nervous systems and body organs are growing and changing rapidly. Also, children are more efficient at absorbing lead into their bodies than adults and have more hand-to-mouth activity. How
do children become lead poisoned? Many exterior and interior house paints sold before 1978 contained lead. Many older homes have surfaces painted with lead-based paint. Lead poisoning can be caused when children eat, chew, or suck on lead painted objects such as windowsills, railings, toys, or furniture. Lead poisoning can also be caused by young children's normal hand-to-mouth activity if there is lead in the household dust or soil. Lead dust may be created as paint ages and breaks down into powdery dust. Renovation activity such as stripping, scraping, sanding, grinding, torch burning, or sandblasting old paint can also create lead dust. Dirt near busy streets may contain lead dust from cars that used leaded gasoline. What
are the symptoms of lead poisoning? Most children have no symptoms. When children do have symptoms, the symptoms are often similar to common childhood complaints such as headaches, irritability, tiredness, lack of appetite and stomach aches. Because these symptoms are not specific, parents and physicians may not suspect lead poisoning. A blood test is the only sure way to detect lead poisoning. Who
should be tested and how often? Screening
for lead poisoning should be part of a normal health program, and children 6
years and under, should be tested at least once a year. Children ages 6 months
to 3 years should be tested every 1-12 months, depending on the blood lead
level, and whether they are at high or low risk for lead poisoning. Steps to
prevent lead exposure in an individual child should be taken when a child's
blood lead level is 15 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood (µg/dL). If a
child's blood level is 20 µg/dL or higher, the child should receive medical
follow-up and a home inspection. HOUSEHOLD SOURCES OF LEAD
TIPS TO PREVENT LEAD POISONING
Legal
Issues WISCONSIN
CHAPTER 151 According to Wisconsin law Chapter 151, "Prevention of Lead Poisoning or Lead Exposure,” all health professionals and laboratory directors must report blood lead test results of 25 micrograms per deciliter of blood or greater to the Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services (DUSS). The U.S. Centers for Disease Control in October 1991 stated that "blood lead levels at least as low as 10 µg/dL are associated with adverse health effects." Under Wisconsin law, DHSS is required to ado the definition of lead poisoning or lead exposure that corresponds to the specification of the Centers for Disease Control. DHSS will issue rules to adopt 10 µg/dL as the definition of lead poisoned or lead exposed. Under Chapter 151, Wisconsin DHSS or local public health officials may inspect dwellings for the presence, location and condition of lead-bearing paints. If the DHSS (or local health agency) determines that lead-bearing paints are present in or upon any dwelling, the department may notify the owner and "issue instructions remove, replace or cover securely and permanently these paints within 30 days, in a manner the department prescribes." If
the property owner fails to correct the hazards within days, this shall be
evidence of negligence in any legal action for damages or injuries. Violations
are enforced by county district attorneys and subject to fines of $1,000 per
day, with each day of continued violation considered as a separate offense. WISCONSIN CHAPTER 709 As
of September 1, 1992, persons who sell one-to-four family residential real
estate must disclose if they are aware of unsafe concentrations of, or unsafe
conditions relating to lead in paint, lead in soil or lead in water supplies or
plumbing system. WISCONSIN
CHAPTER 704.07 (4) This
chapter provides tenants with rights if a property becomes untenantable because
of health hazards. Lead
Paint Removal Removing lead paint is dangerous and can cause increased lead exposure to workers and to children. You may want to find experienced and trained professionals to do the work. You must take precautions to prevent lead paint dust and debris from contaminating the air, the inside of the home or the soil outside. Capture all lead dust and debris and be sure it gets to a secure landfill. Children and pregnant women should be kept out of the work area until the work is done and the area has been thoroughly cleaned. Preferred
Lead Removal Methods These 8 methods create less lead dust than other methods:
A simple low cost option is to wet down leaded paint and wet scrape it off in large pieces. This is safer than methods that generate small dust particles. Chemical paint removers create less dust in air, but the dissolved paint is hard to clean up. Clean
Up is Crucial to the Success of Any Lead Abatement Project
Avoid
Unsafe Methods of Lead Paint Removal Any method that attempts to remove lead paint from the underlying surface is dangerous. The following methods generate hazardous amounts of lead in the air, and are NOT recommended:
Children
in homes where lead is improperly removed often experience increased lead
exposure. Where
Can I Get Help if My Child Is Poisoned? If
your child has high blood lead levels, your physician will choose a treatment
based on the blood test results. An important part of any treatment is to
prevent future exposure to lead. Your home should be inspected inside and
outside to identify the sources. If lead is found, the law requires lead hazards
in paint, plaster or other material to be removed or covered. Wisconsin
Lead Information Wisconsin Division of Health's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program will provide information about lead screening for children. Call 608-266-1826 for this information. For environmental lead information call 608-266-5885 or 608-266-7897. WISCONSIN LEAD TESTING RESOURCES
Written By: Division of Health Printed By: Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities POH 4535 10/92 |