Despite a dramatic fall in American children’s blood levels of lead after it was removed from gasoline, paint, and other consumer products, children are still exposed to the poisonous metal in their homes and communities, says a leading group of pediatricians.
They called for stricter national regulations and stronger commitment to eliminate sources of lead before exposure occurs.
There is growing evidence that even low levels of lead can cause irreversible mental damage and behavioral problems, explain the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), as they urge policy makers and practitioners to increase efforts to protect children from lead poisoning.
In a new policy statement published in the journal Pediatrics, the AAP call for stricter regulation, increased federal resources, and for government and the medical community to join forces, medicalnewstoday.com reported.
Dr. Jennifer Lowry, chair of the AAP Council on Environmental Health and an author of the policy statement, said: “We now know that there is no safe level of blood lead concentration for children and the best ‘treatment’ for lead poisoning is to prevent any exposure before it happens.”
Until recently, a blood lead level of 10 ug/dL or more in children was considered a “level of concern.” But mounting evidence shows even less than half that level causes mental and behavioral problems, such as lower IQ, worse academic performance, aggression, hyperactivity, poor impulse control, and inattention.
Demanding New Legislation
The AAP wants new federal standards for lead in house dust, water, and soil, and new legislation to force the removal of lead from contaminated housing and child care facilities. Also, they say lead concentration in water fountains in schools should not exceed 1 part per billion.
Every $1 spent reducing lead in housing would reap a benefit to society of $17-$221, a return on investment that is on a par with childhood vaccines, they note.
Exposure to lead increases as soon as children start teething and crawling. Living in older homes that are poorly maintained or being renovated increases exposure further.
An estimated 37 million homes in the United States still have lead-based paint.
Children are at raised risk of lead exposure if they live near airports and factories, where lead-contaminated fuel exhaust gets into the soil. Exposure to lead can also result from pollution in rivers and lakes leaching the heavy metal out of old pipes into tap water.
“The recent drinking water crisis in Flint was just one indication of how our country’s aging infrastructure is jeopardizing children’s health,” says AAP President Dr. Benard P. Dreyer.
Children can also come into contact with lead in a host of consumer products, ranging from toys, to imported aluminium cans, hobby materials, vinyl miniblinds and dishware.
