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DIVISION
OF HEALTH PROTECTION
Childhood Lead Poisoning
Prevention Program
In 2000, more than
20,000 Illinois children had an elevated blood lead level
(Blood Lead > 10µg / dL).
Among children tested, one out of every 17 has elevated
levels of lead detected in their blood. In children,
elevated blood lead levels can lead to various physical and
mental development problems, and even death in extreme
cases. It is extremely important for all children to
be tested for lead poisoning, especially in Adams County,
where many homes built before 1978 may contain lead-based
paints. The Adams County Health Department monitors
all childhood lead test results, and provides consultation
and case management to families of children who have high
lead levels.
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Lead Poisoning Facts
Children residing in
older homes and apartments are at the highest risk to lead
exposure. A recent national survey estimated that the
majority of older homes where children younger than age 6
reside have lead-based paint hazards. For homes built
before 1940, 94% are estimated to contain lead-based paints,
and for homes built between 1940 through 1959, 87% have
lead-based paint. The practice of using lead-based
paint in housing was not discontinued until 1978, so any
home that age or older is likely to have some lead-based
paint in it. Lead is a heavy metal that does not
degrade over time, and extremely old lead-based hazards can
be disturbed during remodeling. Most commonly, lead
dust from remodeling projects causes lead poisoning, but
other risks, such as lead in soil, flaking paint chips, lead
pipes and even common household items and jewelry can
contain high levels of lead.
Lead does not
naturally occur in the human body and is in no way
beneficial to our systems, and a "normal" blood lead level
is zero. Unfortunately, children who appear perfectly
healthy can have dangerous blood lead levels, and the amount
of lead needed to poison the human body is minimal, about
one-one hundredth (1/100) of a sugar packet full.
Untreated and uncontrolled, lead in a child's body can cause
many adverse health problems, including lowered IQ, slowed
growth, hearing problems, behavioral and cognitive problems,
kidney trouble, seizures and even death. Newer
research suggests that math and reading skills, nonverbal
reasoning and short-term memory are affected by even minimal
exposure to lead.
If a child has
elevated lead levels or if the child lives in a home that
may contain lead-based hazards, many strategies can be used
to minimize exposure. These include:
<
Keep areas where the child
spends time free of dust and paint chips by regular wet
cleaning.
<
Have your home inspected.
The best treatment for household lead poisoning is to avoid
the lead source and have a licensed lead abatement
contractor safely remove the source of lead.
<
Use a wet rag, paper towels or
mop to wash dust and loose paint chips from window wells,
woodwork and floors. Use household detergent or
automatic dishwashing soap to wash and then rinse with clean
water. Finally, wash dust rags and dusty clothing
separately from other laundry or throw them away.
<
Wash the child's hands
frequently, especially before eating, napping and bedtime
and after play.
<
Ensure iron sufficiency and
provide healthy diets, particularly recommended amounts of
iron and calcium to slow absorption of lead into the blood.
<
Water can be contaminated with
lead from old lead pipes. Run cold water for 30
seconds prior to use, and avoid using hot water for drinking
and cooking.
<
Supervise where and what
children play with to monitor for lead exposure. Wash
toys that are mouthed frequently.
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Lead
Laws / Testing Requirements
Children should be
tested as early as 12 months old, and all 1-2 year olds
should be tested. Under Illinois Law, a parent or
guardian of any child between the ages of 6 months through 6
years is required to provide a statement from a physician or
health care provider certifying that his or her child has
been screened/assessed for lead poisoning before that child
may be admitted to a day care center, day care home,
preschool, nursery school, kindergarten or other licensed
child care facility. Physicians will evaluate a
child's risk factors for lead poisoning, and will either
have laboratory blood lead levels checked or complete lead
risk assessments. If a parent is concerned about lead
exposure, he or she should request that a blood lead level
be determined for their child. Prompt treatment is
very important in minimizing adverse health effects in
children.
<
Clinical testing sample requirements for IDPH run BLL
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List of High-Risk ZIP Codes for Childhood Lead Poisoning in
Illinois
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Resource
Links
You can view the
following links or call the following phone number for more
information.
Illinois Department
of Public Health
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Lead in Industry
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How to lower Blood Lead Levels in Children
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How to protect Children against Lead Poisoning
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How to safely remove old lead-based paint
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Landlord's Guide to working safely with lead
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IDPH Lead Contractor Search
National Lead Information
Center
Illinois Childhood Lead Poisoning
Prevention Program
(217) 782-0403
Adams County Health Dept.
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
(217) 222-8440 extension 118
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