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