Children 6 years and younger are most at risk because their bodies are still developing
Children absorb more lead than adults
Young children have more hand-to-mouth activity than older children
Newly arrived refugee children are twice as likely as U.S. children to have elevated BLLs
Some sub-populations of refugee children are 12-14.5 times more likely to have elevated BLLs Data suggest that refugee children are also at risk
for elevated BLLs in the U.S.
Slide taken from: CDC Recommendations for Lead Poisoning Prevention in Newly Arrived Refugee Children Medical Provider Module
Living in older homes
Compromised nutritional status
Lack of awareness about the dangers of lead
Cultural practices and traditional medicines
Behavior & Learning Problems
Low Intelligence
Hearing Loss
Reduced Growth
Coma
Death
Wash hands Wash pacifiers and toys
Wet-mop floors Wet-wipe surfaces
Remove dirty clothes after work
Do Not Drink Run Cold Water Drink or Cook
Hot Tap Water for 1 Minute with Cold Water
Initial blood lead test Within 90 days of
arrival into the United States
Repeat blood lead test 3 to 6 months after
placed in permanent residence
If result of capillary screening test (ug/dL) is:
Perform diagnostic test on venous blood within:
10-19 3 months
20-44 1 month-1 week
45-59 48 hours
60-69 24 hours
>70 Immediately as an emergency lab test
Free Blood Lead Test: 1-800-328-3838
Refugee Nutrition - Heartland Alliance Address: 1331 West Albion Avenue
Chicago IL 60626 Phone: 773.751.4091 Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Lead Safe Illinois: Campaign for Lead Safetyhttp://leadsafeillinois.org/
CDC’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Program for Refugeeshttp://www.cdc.gov/nceh/Lead/Publications/RefugeeToolKit/Refugee_Tool_Kit.htm
Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Lead Safety Infohttp://www.osha.gov/SLTC/lead/
Office of Refugee Resettlementhttp://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/
Any Questions?
February 2009
PowerPoint by Ann Doan, Nicole Gliner, and Zhi Ping Kuang
University of Illinois at Chicago
Nursing Students