Environmental Contamination: Lead

Health Effects of Lead Poisoning

Blood lead levels are measured in micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL), and a level of 10 µg/dL and above is considered lead poisoned, and medical intervention is warranted. Lead enters the body through the ingestion and, sometimes, the inhalation of lead contaminated material, for example, dust. Lead circulates in the blood and disrupts the hemoglobin synthesis that allows oxygen to get to the brain. Nutrition, particularly diets that are low in fat and high in dietary fiber, iron, thiamine, and calcium, can lessen the absorption of lead. If lead is not eliminated from the body, it will lodge in the bones and teeth and lesser amounts in the soft tissues. In pregnant women, lead is carried through the placenta and can cause lead poisoning of the fetus. Because physical symptoms are not unique to lead poisoning, it cannot be diagnosed without a blood test, nor is it always possible to predict by socioeconomic indicators. Individuals with elevated blood lead levels may experience fatigue, lack of appetite, muscle and joint aches, irritability, sleeplessness, hearing problems, constipation, anxiety, headaches, anemia, or stomach cramps. Children will have slowed physical and mental development, attention deficits, and/or loss of recently acquired skills. Elevated blood lead [Page 170]levels can lead to kidney damage, high blood pressure, brain damage, and even death.

Sources of Lead in the Home Environment

Lead is a naturally occurring element of the earth, and it has been used for centuries in manufactured products found in the home. To reduce the exposure of individuals to lead contamination, the federal government established maximum levels of lead allowed in paint, gasoline, and drinking water. In 2001, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established national standards for levels at which lead is considered a hazard in the home. Lead is considered a hazard when it is equal to or exceeds 40 micrograms of lead in dust per square foot on floors, 250 micrograms of lead in dust per square foot on interior window sills, and 400 parts per million (ppm) of lead in bare soil in children's play areas or 1200 ppm average for bare soil in the rest of the yard. Most standards and strategies seek to create a “lead safe” environment versus a lead-free environment. Mitigation strategies can include removal of the contaminated products, replacement with lead-free products, or encapsulation of the contaminated products to inhibit exposure to individuals.

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