Lead Poisoning

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Lead Poisoning

• James R. Ginder, MS, WEMT,PI, CHES
• Health Education Specialist
• Paula Mandel, RN, BSN
• Public Health Nurse
• Hamilton County Health Department
• 317-776-8500
• www.co.hamilton.in.is

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After the presentation you will be able to

• recall what lead is
• list three products that may contain lead
• explain two ways children would become poisoned
  with lead
• identify three signs and symptoms of lead
  poisoning

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Exposed Children

• It is estimated that 14,000 Hoosier children
  under the age of 7 are lead poisoned
• In 2005 only 8 of ALL children were tested for
  blood levels. Of these children 1.27 had
  confirmed elevated blood lead levels (10mg/dl)

Source ISDH
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What Is Lead

• A bluish white lustrous metal found naturally in
  the environment
• Used in consumer products and manufacturing
• Lead can be found in
• ? Lead based paint
• ? Contaminated soil
• ? Household dust
• ? Lead-glazed pottery
• ? Inexpensive metal jewelry

Source www.webmineral.com
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Who Is At Risk For Lead Poisoning

• Children absorb lead more readily
• All children are susceptible despite
• ? Urban or rural residency
• ? Race or ethnicity
• ? Income level
• Children who are from
• ? Members of minorities
• ? Recent refugees
• ? Medicaid recipients
• ? Living near or below the poverty level

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Exposure To Lead

• Eating (Ingestion)
• ? Lead particles dust on hands transferred to
  food, drinks and children sucking on their
  finders
• ? 20 absorbed in adults (US Department of Health
  and Human Service)
• ? 70 absorbed in children and pregnant women (US
  Department of Health and Human Service)
• ? Breathing (Inhalation)
• ? Lead particles in the air

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Signs and Symptoms

• ? Tiredness ? Wrist or foot drop
• ? Sleep problems ? Weakness
• ? Dizziness ? Clumsiness
• ? Irritability ? Joint and muscle pain
• ? Nervousness ? Vomiting
• ? Headaches ? Loss of Appetite
• ? Difficulty concentrating ? Stomach aches
• ? Depression ? Constipation
• ? Forgetfulness ? Metal taste in
  mouth
• ? Hyperactivity ? Numbness
• At Low Levels NO observable signs and symptoms

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Body Systems That Lead Effects

• Brain and Nervous System
• Reproductive System
• Renal System (Kidneys)
• Circulatory System (Heart, Blood)
• Skeletal system (Bones and Joints)
• Muscular System

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Other Effects

• Learning Disabilities
• Speech and Language Problems
• Behavior Problems
• Hearing Damage
• Pregnancy complication
• Concentration Problems

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Lead And The Nervous System

• Most affect by lead
• Damage can be permanent
• Lead can damage the brain and destroy brain cells
• Damage can result in depression, irritability,
  forgetfulness, clumsiness, learning problems
• High exposures can result in hallucinations, coma
  and even death

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Effects of Lead On the Blood

• Lead damages red blood cells
• Prevents cells from carrying oxygen
• Lowers hemoglobin (carried oxygen)

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Effects Of Lead On Bone Tissue

• Lead from blood is deposited in bones
• Prevents calcium release into blood
• Blocks production of new blood cells
• Bones and teeth store 95 of lead in the body
• Lead is stored in bone tissue for over 30 years
• Under stress, lead is released from bone tissue

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Effects Of Lead On Male Reproductive System

• Decreases libido
• Infertility
• Damage to sperm
• Increase spouses chance of miscarrying,
  premature birth and birth defects in children

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Effects Of Lead On Female Reproductive System

• Reduces fertility
• Affects menstruation and menopause
• Lead passes through placenta to fetus
• May cause brain damage to fetus
• May cause miscarriage or premature birth
• May be released from bones back to blood

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Some Known Sources

• Lead-based paint and dust from lead based-paint
• Lead contaminated drinking water
• Imported cosmetics
• Vinyl and plastics
• Jewelry
• Pewter
• Fishing weights, ammunition, etc

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Other Known Sources

• Lead contaminated soil
• Occupational sources
• ? Remodeling construction
• ? Smelters
• ? Battery factories
• ? Hobbies
• Folk and ethnic remedies (Alarzon Greta)
• Food and food containers (tamarind candy,
  pottery, crystal glassware)

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Toys

• Some toys may have lead paint or other parts that
  have lead in them
• To see a list of recalled toys visit Mattel Toys
  www.mattel.com/safety/us/
• Or
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
• www.cpsc.gov

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Jewelry

• Jewelry may contain lead or paint used in the
  product may contain lead

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Lead In Homes

• Lead paint in homes built before 1978 place
  children at risk for lead poisoning
• The older the home the higher the risk for lead
  hazards
• Of the children poisoned, 80 of the exposed came
  from housing
• 90 of the pre-1950 housing where the poisoned
  children lived had lead based paint hazards
• CDC recommends having children tested for lead at
  6 months and then yearly if your home contains
  lead paint of if you are exposed to lead at work
  or use lead in a hobby

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Where In The Home Is Lead

• Window sills and doors
• Surface with chipped, peeling or deteriorating
  paint
• Porches, rail fence
• Bare soil around perimeter of house or play area
• Floors where dust can settle

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At Risk Criteria
Children 6 Years Of Age And Younger

• Exposed to or living in a house or childcare
  center built before 1978
• With siblings or playmates who have lead poisoned
  
• Frequently in contact with people exposed to lead
  thought work or hobbies
• Who are recent immigrants
• In low-income families
• Enrolled in Hoosier Health Wise
• Who are members of minorities particularly
  African Americans
• Using folk or ethic remedies
• Exposed to renovation and remodeling activities

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Testing For Lead

• A Blood test is used to check for lead exposure
• ? Blood from a vein (Doctors office)
• ? Finger stick (Hamilton County Health
  Department)
• Results gt 10ug/dL require a confirmatory test
• ? Must be sent to physician for a blood draw
• Medical and case management is required
• Retesting required if lead poisoning confirmed

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Blood Test Results
Normal Range 0-9 ug/dL
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Treatment

• Remove the lead source
• If the lead source can not be removed, seal the
  lead product rather than remove it
• Chelation Therapy
• ? Medication that binds with lead
• so lead is excreted in the
• urine

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Other Treatments

• Nutrition Therapy
• ? Diets high in iron and calcium
• ? Examples of foods high in iron are
• Cheese, fish, meat, eggs, beans,
• spinach, raisins
• ? Examples of foods high in calcium are
• Milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt,
• bread, fish, meat, broccoli,
  fruit,
• nuts

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FREE Lead Testing
By Appointment

• Hamilton County Health Department
• 317-776-8500
• www.co.hamilton.in.us

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More Information

• Centers For Disease Control
• www.cdc.gov
• Consumer Product Safety Commission
• www.cpsc.gov
• EPA
• www.epa.gov
• Indiana State Department of Health
• www.in.gov/isdh