Lead Poisoning: In our Children and our World

Colorless. Odorless. Tasteless. Could be found in sources that are used for human survival... (e.g., soil, water, food, air, dust). One may initially think of carbon monoxide poisoning (which also falls into some of the above mentioned categories), however, this blog will be investigating a specific heavy metal that continues to cause fatalities, yet has almost been long forgotten by many in society: lead poisoning. 

Children are the most susceptible to lead poisoning as well as the elderly. However, there is no known "safe" level of lead exposure in the human body. Lead is a toxic heavy metal and does profound damage to one's nervous system.

OHIO CASES 2014

In 2014, 153,010 children were tested for potential lead poisoning in the state of Ohio. Out of the total number of children tested, many fell within a prevalence rate between 5-10 micrograms per deciliters. 4,596 children were reported having blood lead levels greater than 5ug/dL. 1,298 children were reported having blood lead levels greater than 10 ug/dL. 

One major accomplishment from the Ohio Department of Health was through the network with the Center of Disease Control. The ODH received funds to help assess and provide surveillance for children's lead poisoning cases. Almost $400,000 was received for both 2015 and 2016. 

OHIO POPULATION TESTED

3% of Ohio's population has been tested over 2014. While that number, initially may seem low, consider the number of lead poisonings that remain under reported or not reported at all! Recall that this type of exposure is asymptomatic for a majority of people, while others can have a chronic exposure for decades without knowing what is happening within one's body. 

LEAD POISONING STATISTICS PER COUNTY

I was born and raised in northwestern Ohio within Allen County. My hometown is Lima and I lived in Allen County until I left for college and the Army. After researching the blood lead levels for Allen County, I was shocked to see that some of the highest levels were found in the very city I grew up in. After reflecting on this a while, I then realized that this is not as surprising as initially thought. Lima, OH is home of the 3rd largest oil refinery in the United States. Additionally, it is an industrial city and has many sources of lead that could be found in not only the external environment, but inside old homes as well. 

The statistics below are for Allen County and lead poisoning cases for children within the population:

• blood lead levels found in children greater than 5 micrograms per deciliter= 18.3%-27.3%
• for the following years the predicted percentage of children with blood lead levels greater than 5 micrograms per deciliter= 26.09%

Sources of Lead in the Environment

• occupational sources
• environmental (lead is naturally occurring in the earth's crust)
• water
• soil
• routes of exposure include: inhalation, ingestion

PREVENTIONS FOR LEAD POISONING EXPOSURES

One of the benefits of lead poisoning is the prevention factor of this exposure. Preventing lead poisoning is extremely simple compared to other heavy metal exposures! Different levels of prevention can be illustrated:

• Preventative medicine can be an intervention for those who are already diagnosed
• avoiding exposure to lead in the environment to avoid being poisoned (acute and chronic)
• prevention and advocacy (e.g., educational programs, outreach, macro-level) from a global level to enhance public health's effectiveness within a certain population

If you suspect you or your child may have been exposed to lead, contact your physician immediately and seek treatment.