Taking Lead Home (1998)

In 1998 a California mother requested a blood lead level determination for her 18-month-old child (MMWR, 2001). The result was a blood lead level (BLL) of 26 μg/dL, which was well above the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) 10 μg/dL recommended criterion for clinical case management. It was subsequently found that the father had a BLL of 46 μg/dL; the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that workers with BLLs greater than 40 μg/dL receive additional medical examinations. Further testing found that his 4-month-old daughter had a BLL of 24 μg/dL. This worker was employed in a company that refinished antique furniture, some of which was covered with lead-based paint. Subsequent testing of co-workers found that two refinishers had BLLs of 29 and 54 μg/dL and four carpenters had BLLs of 46, 46, 47, and 56 μg/dL. A child in another family had a BLL of 16 μg/dL. What will be the long-term effects on the intellectual abilities of these children?

Lead-contaminated Town (2001)

The children and families of Herculaneum, Missouri have a lead problem (N.Y. Times, 2002). Herculaneum is home to Doe Run Company, one of the largest lead smelters in the United States, producing 160,000 tons of lead per year. A generation ago, over 800 tons of lead were released into the environment as part of the smelting process. This was reduced to 81 tons in 2001 and the target is 34 tons in 2002. There are signs on the main street informing people about the "high lead levels on streets" and warning children not to play in the streets or on curbs. One-fourth of children under age six were found to have lead poisoning. The U.S. EPA is working to reduce childhood exposure to lead and the company has purchased a number of the most affected homes. How has lead affected the children of Herculaneum? Who is responsible for reducing this hazard?

Lead in Children's Toys, Candy, and Jewelry (2006)

Lead in children's products was highlighted by several serious incidents of lead poisoning, including one death, from ingestion of jewelry containing lead (MMWR 2004, 2006). Many of the jewelry pieces contained over 50% lead, and hundreds of thousands of items were recalled. A report from Los Angeles County estimated that 34% of the children with elevated blood lead levels were exposed to lead-containing products brought into the home, such as folk and traditional medications, candy, ceramic dinnerware, and metallic toys and jewelry. More recently, lead was discovered in vinyl lunch boxes, where it was used to stabilize the PVC (vinyl) plastic. Lead exceeding the CPSC standard (0.06% by weight, or 600 ppm) was also found in paint on imported children's toys. Many consider this to be an excessive amount and have advocated state and federal regulations to lower the amount of lead allowed in paint and to require the testing of children's toys for lead. Despite our knowledge about the effects of lead exposure on children's health, we continue to needlessly expose those who are most vulnerable.

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