Lead Poisoning

By Krystle Banzuela RN

Lead is both one of mankind’s most useful metals and an environmental health hazard to children 6 years and younger. Lead can be ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin ("Lead in industry," n.d.). Young children are highly susceptible to lead exposure because their nervous systems are not fully developed (Clark, 2008), and because they put everything in their mouth. Lead is in paint, dust, drinking water, and dirt.

Lead poisoning is defined as too much lead in the body that is seen as elevated lead blood level of > 10 mcg/dL (Hockenberry & Wilson, 2009). There is no safe level of lead in the body. At low levels, there are no obvious signs and symptoms of lead poisoning, but it can cause developmental delays, learning problems, and lower attention span. Moderate and high levels can lead to constipation, abdominal pain, poor appetite, anemia, poor appetite, vomiting, irritability, or lethargy. Damage is permanent and non-reversible, however, referral to a child development or speech-language specialist may improve mental abilities.

Below are the suggested lead poisoning prevention activities at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, as provided by the Illinois Lead Program (Fokum, Simpson, & Churchill, 2009, p. 26):

Primary Prevention
• Avoid exposure to lead
• Identify sources of lead poisoning like houses with lead based paint
• Focus on high-risk indicators
• Fix highest risk housing
• Evaluate and control hazards
• Educate

Secondary Prevention
• Early detection and intervention prevents progression and emergence of lead poisoning symptoms
• Increase testing rates
• Intervene to reduce risk of long-term damage
• Encourage home visits by public health nurse for case management
• Initiate environmental inspections for lead poisoned cases

Tertiary Prevention
• Damage caused by lead poisoning is irreversible
• Chelate or use chemical compounds that bind to lead to remove toxic metal from the body
• Aim at improving quality of life of lead poisoned children through education
• Eat foods rich in iron and calcium

Lead poisoning has been steadily declining since 1997 from 18.7 % of children in Illinois to 1.7% in 2008 (Fokum, Simpson, & Churchill, 2009), a more than 50% decrease! While this is good news, we should try to get all the lead out and provide a hazard free physical environment for our children. They are the future, and it is our responsibility to provide a safe environment in which they can grow to their fullest potential.

Check out this Get Lead Out Brochures about intervention, prevention, and renovation:
http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/pdf/Lead_Intervention.pdf
http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/pdf/Lead_Prevention.pdf
http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/pdf/Lead_Renovation.pdf

Sources used:
Clark, M. J. (2008). Community health nursing. (5th ed.) New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Fokum, F, Simpson, E, & Churchill, S. Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois Lead Program. (2009). The impact of lead: Illinois lead program annual surveillance report. Springfield, IL.


Note: This blog post reflects the work of Krystle Banzuela RN with minor editing by Shirley Comer RN and was completed as a class assignment. The content of this blog is for informational purposes only. Before beginning or changing a treatment or lifestyle regime you should consult your primary health care provider.