CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING

A COMMUNITY WORKSHOP FOR A COMMUNITY IN NEED

By: XXX

OVERVIEW Problem: The difficulty in eradicating lead poisoning. Population: The lead poisoned patients of The University

Hospital. Models:

Newark Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control ProgramThe Treatment of Lead-Exposed Children Clinical Trial

Plan: A monthly community workshop for lead poisoned University Hospital patients and their families.

Patron: The University Hospital’s Lead Poisoning Program

Price: $18,200

Where does lead poisoning come from? Today exposure to the toxin is due to paint and

dust.

Lead’s use in paint was not prohibited by the government until 1978.

A vast amount of American homes are over 100 years old.

  (Mahoney, 1990)

Who is affected? The majority of lead poisoning cases are known to be in

poor areas consisting of low-income families and devastating housing.   Areas like these lack the money not only for lead removal but also

for nutrition and legal action.   Calcium for example has the ability to block lead absorption.  However children

living in poor areas lack sufficient calcium intake.

(Bruening, 1999)   Children are more affected by lead than adults are.

Why? hand-to-mouth activity A child’s gut absorbs lead more readily than an adult’s. The developing CNS is less tolerant of toxicants than the mature CNS.   The mere exposure of kids to lead paint surroundings, without the child

necessarily eating paint chips, can cause lifelong affliction. (Needleman, 2003)

Effects of Lead Poisoning neurological damage mental retardation cerebral palsy seizures visual-motor deficiencies behavioral problems

(Mahoney, 1990, p.50).

Lead poisoned children are more likely to do poorly in or drop out of school.  

(Needleman, 2003)  

Distrac

tible

Day D

reamer

Low O

veral

l Fun

ction

ing

05

1015202530354045

<5.1 (ppm)5.1-8.1 (ppm)8.2-11.8 (ppm)11.9-17.1 (ppm)17.2-27.0 (ppm)>27.0 (ppm)

% R

epor

ted

by T

each

ers

Negative teachers’ ratings in relation to dentin lead concentrations

(Needleman, 2003)

Remove all lead paint. This is the best and only way to eradicate lead from homes.

However it would cost a great deal to do so. The removal of lead paint needs to be done professionally. Temporary housing would need to be supplied for families during

the process. Total costs are therefore in the thousands per household.

Implementation of a law in order to speed up the process of lead removal has been an issue because the government does not know whether a law should be enforced on the tenant, owner or the tax payers.

(Mahoney, 1990)

Besides prevention what other option is there? The medical approach

uses children as the lead detectors. Medical action is not considered

until children test positive for lead.

Children must meet CDC standards in order to be treated. 1960-

19701970-1985

1985-1991

1991-0

10203040506070

ug/d

L

CDC’s Action Level for Blood Lead in Children

(U.S. Department of Human Services, Public Health Service Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry, 1992)

Let us take a look at Newark. Newark has been tackling the issue of

lead poisoning since 1969. The Newark Lead Poisoning Prevention

and Control Program (1972-1980) The Treatment of Lead-Exposed

Children clinical trial (1994-2003) Lead Poisoning Program at The

University Hospital

The Newark Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Program It failed due to

budget cuts and Newark’s increase in poverty level.

1972

73 74 75 76 77 78 79 800

5

10

15

20

25

30

Year of Admission

Adm

issi

on R

ate

Admission Rates by Year of First Admission per 10,000 Newark Children 1-6

Years of Age

(Schneider & Lavenhar, 1986)

Treatment of Lead-Exposed Children (TLC) It was conducted in 4 total cities showing

the highest rate of success in Newark. The following six guidelines are why the

trial was a success in Newark. 1. Be accessible2. Relate to the patient3. Offer the patient consolation4. Educate the patient5. Keep the patient up to date6. Implement a change in the patient’s lifestyle

Plan Start a monthly community workshop for

lead poisoned University Hospital patients and their families.

More efficient than hiring individual social workers.

Patients’ and their families will be able to offer consultation, advice and friendship to one another. They are also more likely to relate to one another than to a social worker.

Costs 12 Workshops/year Facilitators……………………$12,000 Refreshments………………..$1,200 Activity Essentials…………...$5,000 Space…………………………$0

Provided by the city of NewarkTOTAL: $18,200

(estimations made based on 100 workshop members)

Patron The Lead Poisoning Program at The

University Hospital headed by Dr. Steven M. Marcus

The addition of the workshop would complete the 6 guidelines for the lead poisoning program and therefore improve treatment outcomes.

Questions?