General Problem-----Hilltop Problem-----Increased Awareness-----Testing Children-----Identify Contaminations

Lead Problem in General

Years of systematic research have confirmed the negative impact of even a minimal elevation in blood lead levels (EBLL) in both children and adults. Research indicates that even slightly elevated blood lead levels can affect a child's IQ and increase neurobehavioral problems such as impulsivity, aggression, short attention span, distractibility, poor organization, lack of persistence, and day dreaming. There also is an increased risk of anti social behavior and some studies have demonstrated the relationship between EBLL and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). At high levels lead can cause coma, damage to the kidneys, severe brain damage and death.

Research on adults indicates similar impacts and increased blood pressure, kidney damage, decreased nervous system functioning, weakness in fingers, wrists or ankles, and anemia. Increased concentrations of lead in the blood can cause miscarriages, affect fetal development, create reproductive problems, digestive problems, nerve disorders, memory and concentration problems, muscle and joint pain. Studies also have found associations with heart disease, liver problems, and osteoporosis.

There are a wide variety of ways in which lead can enter the body. As the result of the deterioration of paint either by flaking or chipping, children may eat the paint chips or ingest the dust that results from the flaking. Lead pipes used for plumbing also deteriorate and result in lead entering into the water system of the house. Not surprisingly, both the use of lead paint and lead pipes in plumbing are associated with older housing.

One of the most difficult problems with the lead poisoning is that there are often no immediate symptoms. Children may ingest significant amounts of lead without any effects being visible for years. The effects of lead may not occur until later in life when problems begin to develop during school. The only way to prevent such problems is through information, testing of children and adults, testing homes and the development of abatement procedures.