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Lead Poisoning in Lead Poisoning in Wisconsin for Wisconsin for Parents/AdultsParents/Adults

What do I need to know to keep my What do I need to know to keep my child safe?child safe?

Presented byPresented byWisconsin School NursesWisconsin School Nurses

Wisconsin Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention ProgramWisconsin Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention ProgramImplementation and Oversight Committee (IOC) Education WorkgroupImplementation and Oversight Committee (IOC) Education Workgroup

Division of Public HealthDivision of Public HealthDepartment of Health ServicesDepartment of Health Services

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Lead Poisoning in WisconsinLead Poisoning in Wisconsin

Wisconsin specific dataWisconsin specific data

Cause and effects of childhood, youth & adult lead Cause and effects of childhood, youth & adult lead poisoningpoisoning

Sources of lead exposure for children, youth and adultsSources of lead exposure for children, youth and adults

What should you do if you are lead poisonedWhat should you do if you are lead poisoned

How to prevent lead poisoningHow to prevent lead poisoning

Resources for informationResources for information

IntroductionIntroduction

Lead poisoning is the most serious environmental Lead poisoning is the most serious environmental

health threat facing young children in the U.S.health threat facing young children in the U.S.

Lead poisoning interferes with the normal Lead poisoning interferes with the normal

development of a child’s brain causing learning development of a child’s brain causing learning

difficulties and a greater likelihood of behavior difficulties and a greater likelihood of behavior

problems.problems.

IntroductionIntroduction

Lead poisoning can be prevented by:Lead poisoning can be prevented by:

Controlling lead hazardsControlling lead hazards

Decreasing lead exposureDecreasing lead exposure

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Wisconsin-Specific DataWisconsin-Specific Data

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Lead poisoning in Wisconsin is a statewide problem.

Each red dot represents an address associated with a lead-poisoned child since 1996.

More than 46,000 children.

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Wisconsin vs. U.S.Wisconsin vs. U.S.

The rate of lead poisoning in Wisconsin in 2006 The rate of lead poisoning in Wisconsin in 2006

was more than double the national average:was more than double the national average:

2.5% of Wisconsin children that were tested 2.5% of Wisconsin children that were tested were found to be poisonedwere found to be poisoned

VersusVersus 1.2% of all other children in the U.S 1.2% of all other children in the U.S..

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2nd in Midwest States2nd in Midwest States4.2

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Effects of Lead on Children, Youth Effects of Lead on Children, Youth and Adultsand Adults

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A child is at risk of lead exposure if the child is under A child is at risk of lead exposure if the child is under the age of 6 and…the age of 6 and…

lives in home or regularly visits a daycare built lives in home or regularly visits a daycare built before before 19501950

lives in home or regularly visits a daycare built lives in home or regularly visits a daycare built before before 19781978 with recent renovation/remodeling with recent renovation/remodeling

has a sibling who is lead-poisonedhas a sibling who is lead-poisoned

is eligible for Medicaid or WIC servicesis eligible for Medicaid or WIC services

How Lead Affects How Lead Affects ChildrenChildren

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Why are young children at greater risk?Why are young children at greater risk?

Normal hand-to-mouth behaviorNormal hand-to-mouth behavior

Rapidly developing nervous Rapidly developing nervous

system - vulnerable to the system - vulnerable to the

effects of leadeffects of lead

Higher rate of absorptionHigher rate of absorption

How Lead Affects Children

Huttenlocher, Neuropsycologia 1990;28:517-27

Vis

ual C

orte

x

End of critical period

Most sensitive phase

Key Period of Synapse Development

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How does lead get into the body?How does lead get into the body? Ingested - mouth (most common Ingested - mouth (most common

source of exposure for children)source of exposure for children)

Inhaled - nose (occupational exposure)Inhaled - nose (occupational exposure)

Lead dust is not absorbed through the skin.Lead dust is not absorbed through the skin.

How Lead Affects Children

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The toxic effects of lead on the brain The toxic effects of lead on the brain disruptdisrupt normal brain normal brain development and can affect school performance:development and can affect school performance:

► Lower IQLower IQ► Memory problemsMemory problems► Learning disabilitiesLearning disabilities► Speech and Language delaysSpeech and Language delays► Hearing lossHearing loss► Low self esteemLow self esteem

How Lead Affects ChildrenHow Lead Affects Children

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The The behavioralbehavioral effects of lead poisoning can effects of lead poisoning can result in:result in:

Aggression and hostilityAggression and hostility

Hyperactivity and distractibility Hyperactivity and distractibility

Classroom disruptionsClassroom disruptions

How Lead Affects ChildrenHow Lead Affects Children

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A young person or adult is at risk of lead A young person or adult is at risk of lead exposure if they…exposure if they…

Work in an occupation that uses leadWork in an occupation that uses lead Renovate a home that was built before Renovate a home that was built before 19781978

Have a hobby that uses lead, such as:Have a hobby that uses lead, such as:

– Reloading bullets or target shootingReloading bullets or target shooting

– Casting fishing weightsCasting fishing weights

– Stained glass or ceramics Stained glass or ceramics

How Lead Affects Youth and How Lead Affects Youth and AdultsAdults

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Symptoms that can be related to lead includeSymptoms that can be related to lead include::

Headaches Headaches

DizzinessDizziness

Sleep disturbancesSleep disturbances

Memory problemsMemory problems

Muscle/joint aches and painsMuscle/joint aches and pains

IrritabilityIrritability

FatigueFatigue

Nausea, loss of appetite, weight lossNausea, loss of appetite, weight loss

Infertility problems, miscarriagesInfertility problems, miscarriages

How Lead Affects Youth and How Lead Affects Youth and AdultsAdults

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The The behavioralbehavioral effects of teenagers exposed to effects of teenagers exposed to lead as a child can result in:lead as a child can result in:

Increased high school dropout rateIncreased high school dropout rate

Juvenile delinquencyJuvenile delinquency

Teenage pregnancyTeenage pregnancy

5x more likely to smoke tobacco5x more likely to smoke tobacco

Committing the most violent crimes as youth and Committing the most violent crimes as youth and

adults.adults.

How Lead Affects YouthHow Lead Affects Youth

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A recent study showed that youth who A recent study showed that youth who have been lead poisoned may feel:have been lead poisoned may feel:

Panic Panic

DepressionDepression

How Lead Affects YouthHow Lead Affects Youth

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Long term effects related to childhood lead exposure as well as Long term effects related to childhood lead exposure as well as adult exposure can include such things as: adult exposure can include such things as:

High blood pressure, heart attack, strokeHigh blood pressure, heart attack, stroke

Premature death because of the abovePremature death because of the above

Neurological problemsNeurological problems

Kidney diseaseKidney disease

Mood disorders such as hostility or depressionMood disorders such as hostility or depression

Memory loss and Alzheimer’s diseaseMemory loss and Alzheimer’s disease

How Lead Affects AdultsHow Lead Affects Adults

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““How do I know if anyone in my How do I know if anyone in my family is lead poisoned?” family is lead poisoned?”

Blood Lead TestingBlood Lead Testing

The only way to know if a child or an adult is lead poisoned is to have a blood lead test.

•Capillary blood draw

•Venous blood draw (A venous blood draw is recommended for adults)

Blood Lead TestingBlood Lead Testing

Wisconsin follows federal Medicaid requirements that all Medicaid-eligible children should be tested at:

• Age 1;

• Again at age 2; and

• Between ages of 3-5 years if they were not tested previously.

Blood Lead TestingBlood Lead Testing

Wisconsin also follows CDC recommendations to test all children under age 6 who:

• live in a home built before 1950 or a home built before 1978 that is being renovated.

• spend time in an older home (i.e. daycare, grandparents or other relatives).

• have a sibling who was lead poisoned.

Nutrition is Important!Nutrition is Important!

Role of Nutrition-Vitamins and Minerals

•Lead replaces calcium

•Adequate iron decreases lead absorption

•Vitamin C enhances iron absorption

•Zinc, Thiamin and Vitamin E reduce toxic effects of lead.

Nutrition is Important!Nutrition is Important!

• Children should have full stomachs and eat at regular intervals—every 3-4 hours—-so they absorb less lead (more lead is absorbed with an empty stomach).

• All ages.. Eat a balanced diet & not high fat diet (more lead is absorbed with high fat diet).

• Run tap water 2-3 minutes before drinking or mixing formula; use only cold water for cooking and formula preparation

““What happens if someone in my What happens if someone in my family is lead poisoned?”family is lead poisoned?”

With all ages the goal is to decrease the blood lead level as rapidly as possible.

With young children, because their brain is rapidly developing, it is especially important to:

Prevent prolonged exposure of the central nervous system to leadPrevent exposure of other children by reducing or controlling lead hazards

Your medical doctor will give you guidance and tell you how often you need to have the blood lead level checked.

Your local health department may contact you if your child is under age 6. They may request to do a home visit to help you find the source of the lead exposure and complete a developmental assessment of your child.

Adults may receive information from the state Adult Blood Lead Program (ABLES) when their blood lead level exceeds the guidelines set by OSHA.

“What happens if someone in my family is lead poisoned?”

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Preventing Lead PoisoningPreventing Lead Poisoning

In Wisconsin, for a child who is chronically exposed to lead, it can take an average of 2 years for the blood lead level to drop from a level of 20mcg/dL or more to below 10mcg/dL.

The life-long impact of lead toxicity on a child’s development makes

PREVENTION urgent.

Prevention means Eliminating Risk Prevention means Eliminating Risk Factors in the HomeFactors in the Home

Are there risk factors for lead exposure in the

child’s home?

• Painted or varnished surfaces are deteriorated

• Home is near heavy traffic or industrial areas

• Vinyl vertical or mini blinds test positive

What Chipping and Peeling Paint What Chipping and Peeling Paint Looks Like Looks Like

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Obvious HazardsObvious Hazards alligatoring/checking paintalligatoring/checking paint

WindowsWindows

Exterior HazardsExterior Hazards

PorchesPorches

Exterior porches: toprails, decks and other horizontal surfaces. The annual spring project.

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Treatment of the environment is the primary

solution.

FIX THE HOUSE!

Preventing Lead Poisoning in Preventing Lead Poisoning in ChildrenChildren

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Materials available from Materials available from WCLPPPWCLPPP

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Materials available from Materials available from WCLPPPWCLPPP

SUMMARYSUMMARY

Lead poisoning occurs in every county in WILead poisoning occurs in every county in WI Lead poisoning effects all ages: affects brain Lead poisoning effects all ages: affects brain

development in children; can cause future health development in children; can cause future health problems for all ages.problems for all ages.

Sources of lead for various ages differSources of lead for various ages differ A blood lead test is the only way to know if a child, A blood lead test is the only way to know if a child,

youth or adult is lead poisonedyouth or adult is lead poisoned Prevent lead poisoning by being aware of hazards Prevent lead poisoning by being aware of hazards

and taking steps to eliminate them correctlyand taking steps to eliminate them correctly Contact your local health department or WCLPPP Contact your local health department or WCLPPP

for informationfor information

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Resources:Resources:

1. Your Local Health Department1. Your Local Health Department

2. 2. WCLPPP website:WCLPPP website: dhs.wi.gov/lead dhs.wi.gov/lead

3. 3. WCLPPPWCLPPP and ABLES P and ABLES Phone Numberhone Number: :

608/266-5817608/266-5817