Submitted by: Hyun-Jeong Lee, Ph.D., Assistant Professor/Housing Specialist

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Heneman, K., and Zidenberg-Cherr, S. October – December 2006. “Is Lead Toxicity Still a Risk to U.S. Children?” California Agriculture 60 (4): 180-184.

Introduction

Lead is highly toxic and can be found in products we may contact in and around our homes on a daily basis (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] 2007). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] surveillance data (CDC 2007), the rate of children who were found to have significant amount of lead in their blood (at or above 10 microgram per one deciliter, 10μg/dL) was declined from 1997 to 2005. However, EPA (2004) estimates that the United States still have 430,000 children age between 1 and 5 with blood-lead level (BLL) above 10μg/dL. Furthermore, the U.S. children are still exposed to the lead poisoning risks through many sources. The researchers of this study summarize current issues on U.S. children lead poisoning problems.

Main Ideas

Where We Find Lead

In the past, lead was used to make paint for easier application and lead-based paint (more than 0.06% lead by weight), remains in old houses, furniture, and even on children’s toys. In 1978, the Consumer Product Safety Commission prohibited to use lead-based paint on interior and exterior residential surfaces, toys, and furniture (CDC 1991). This means residents living in houses built after 1978 have less chance of exposure to lead hazards than pre-1978 house residents do. It does not mean that post-1978 houses are free from lead poisoning risk. Some older house plumbing contains lead and you may absorb it by drinking water directly from the old plumbing. We also can absorb lead from dust in the air we breathe. Lead can also come into your home if any of your household members works with lead and does not clean his/her body and clothes before coming home. Surprisingly, lead is still found on pottery, ceramic cookware, toys and even candies that are imported from certain foreign countries.

Lead Poisoning and Health Impact

Lead poisoning was referred as “one of the most common and preventable pediatric health problems.” the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (CDC 1991). Lead poisoning influences children much more seriously than adults. There are many reasons that young children have higher risk of lead poisoning and lead poisoning more seriously affects their health. In comparison to adults, in regards to body size, children drink more water, eat more food, and breathe more air. Their bodies are growing and absorb more lead. Lead damages their brain and nervous system are more easily. Most of all, they usually chew and suck almost everything (EPA 2007).

High levels of lead in children body may damage their brains, nervous system, and kidney, reduce IQ, slow down growth, and cause hearing problems. In addition, lead can cause behavior and learning problems and can result in coma, convulsions, and even death (EPA 2007; CDC 1991).

Suggestions to Prevent Lead Poisoning in Children

Consult your doctor for a blood lead level screening test if your children are age 72 months or younger, especially if you are living in a house built before 1978. Wash yourself and your babies often to reduce absorbance of lead. If you see any paint chips, clean them immediately. Regularly clean dust from your floors, window frames, windowsills, and other surface weekly. If you think your home has a lead problem contact professionals for inspection and necessary abatement. Children who eat nutritious foods with high iron and calcium (e.g., spinach and dairy products) tend to absorb less lead to their body. Make sure your children eat good foods to prevent lead poisoning (EPA, 2007).

Implications for Extension Programs

Outreach education activities of childhood lead poisoning prevention need to reach underserved populations, including low-income families reside in poor quality old houses and minorities speaking foreign languages, to emphasize the dangers of lead and teach families to reduce the harmful effects of lead in their child’s environment.

Further Information

Please visit EPA and CDC websites below for up-to-date information on children lead poisoning prevention:

EPA

CDC

Also, you can visit Florida Department of Health Lead Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program for information.

Additional References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (1991). A statement by the centers for disease control and prevention. Retrieved on March 7, 2007.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2004). Measure B1: Lead in the blood of children. Retrieved on March 7, 2007.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2007). Lead in paint, dust, and soil. Retrieved on March 7, 2007.

Submitted by: Hyun-Jeong Lee, Ph.D., Assistant Professor/Housing Specialist
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Phelan, K. J., J. Khoury, H. Kalkwarf, and B. Lanphear. January-February 2005. “Residential Injuries in U.S. Children and Adolescents.” Public Health Reports 120: 63-70.

Introduction

A house is the primary built-environment for a human being (Aragonés 2002). A house plays important roles to those who reside there not only as a shelter providing security and protection from harm (Aragonés; Betchel 1997). However, is your home safe enough for you and your children? One of the recent reports indicates that the leading cause of the U.S. children’s death is injury and the home is the most common place for the children’s injuries (Phelan, Khoury, Kalkwarf & Lanphear 2005).

Methodology

The purpose of the study by Phelan et al. (2005) was to investigate the trends of unintentional residential injury for U.S. children. Data was obtained from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics. From the NHAMCS data, a sample of patients under age 20 at the time of survey who visited to emergency departments (EDs) between 1993 and 1999 were drawn and analyzed using statistical techniques including chi-square tests.

Main Ideas

Children’s Injuries between 1993 and 1999

From 1993 to 1999, average 29 million children < 20 years visited EDs annually. Injury accounted 39% of the children emergency visits and 35% of the total children emergency visits were reported as unintentional injury visits. The home was found to be the most common location of the unintentional child injury, accounting for 4 million ED visit annually. Fortunately, the number of the children’s ED visits for unintentional injuries decreased by 24% from 4.7 millions in 1993 to 3.5 millions in 1999. However, the number is still high. Children age under 5 showed the greatest number (1.7 millions) and highest rate (43%) of ED visits for unintentional residential injuries. Males showed a higher rate of the ED visits than females.

Mechanism, Type, and Severity of the Children Residential Injuries

Among the children’s ED visits due to any residential injuries, falls were found to be the most frequent mechanism, accounting for 38% of the visits. “Struck/strike” and “cutting/piercing” were the second and third frequent mechanism of the ED visits.

The most commonly injured regions of the body from residential injuries were extremities, head and necks. The most frequent types of injury were an open wound or superficial injury, contusions/crush injuries and fracture/dislocation (Phelan et al., p.66). More than 10% of the annual children ED visits were for “moderate-to-severe” injuries (Phelan et al., p.67).

Suggestions for the Residential Injury Prevention

The researchers of the study suggested that many of the children’s injuries at home can be prevented by using safety devices such as stairway gates, improving home design, and by providing appropriate parental supervision (p.67). In addition, it was suggested that safety of home products needs to be ensured.

Implications for Extension Programs

Considering young children (age under 5) showed the highest rate of the children’s ED visits, safety education needs to be emphasized in education programs of parents of the young children and prospective parents. Also, home remodeling/modification programs and education materials need to include safety features and products related to children’s in- and around-home safety. In addition, consumer education needs to be focused on appropriate purchase, installation and use of home products.

Conclusion

Traditionally, the main image of a home includes a shelter providing protection from outside harms. However, a recent research study by Phelan et al. (2005) revealed that home was a not-so-safe place for the U.S. children. Although the number of children residential injuries was found to be decreased over the years, home is still the most common location for the children injuries in the United States. More attention and efforts are required to make your home a safer place for you and your children to live.

Additional References

Aragonés, J. I. 2002. The Dwelling as Place: Behaviors and Symbolism. In Residential Environments: Choice, Satisfaction and Behavior, edited by J. I. Aragones and T. Gärling. Westport, CT: Bergin & Garvey.

Bechtel, R. B. 1997. Environment and Behavior: An Introduction. Edited by Robert B. Bechtel. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.