Calls for Removing All Lead Paint From US Housing Are Misguided

Ryan, Don

doi:10.2105/ajph.2013.301262

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…An editorial in the same journal issue suggested “the only solution” was primary prevention of Pb poisoning from lead-based paint and complete removal or replacement of lead-based paint before a child lives in a home (14). Other researchers do not support the paint-only approach because of its limited scope and the potential to increase Pb dust through the process of abatement (15).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The concurrent decline of soil lead and children’s blood lead in New Orleans

Mielke

Gonzales

Powell³

et al. 2019

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

109

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Lead (Pb) is extremely toxic and a major cause of chronic diseases worldwide. Pb is associated with health disparities, particularly within low-income populations. In biological systems, Pb mimics calcium and, among other effects, interrupts cell signaling. Furthermore, Pb exposure results in epigenetic changes that affect multigenerational gene expression. Exposure to Pb has decreased through primary prevention, including removal of Pb solder from canned food, regulating lead-based paint, and especially eliminating Pb additives in gasoline. While researchers observe a continuous decline in children’s blood lead (BPb), reservoirs of exposure persist in topsoil, which stores the legacy dust from leaded gasoline and other sources. Our surveys of metropolitan New Orleans reveal that median topsoil Pb in communities (n = 274) decreased 44% from 99 mg/kg to 54 mg/kg (P value of 2.09 × 10−08), with a median depletion rate of ∼2.4 mg⋅kg⋅y−1 over 15 y. From 2000 through 2005 to 2011 through 2016, children’s BPb declined from 3.6 μg/dL to 1.2 μg/dL or 64% (P value of 2.02 × 10−85), a decrease of ∼0.2 μg⋅dL⋅y−1 during a median of 12 y. Here, we explore the decline of children’s BPb by examining a metabolism of cities framework of inputs, transformations, storages, and outputs. Our findings indicate that decreasing Pb in topsoil is an important factor in the continuous decline of children’s BPb. Similar reductions are expected in other major US cities. The most contaminated urban communities, usually inhabited by vulnerable populations, require further reductions of topsoil Pb to fulfill primary prevention for the nation’s children.

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mentioning

confidence: 99%

The concurrent decline of soil lead and children’s blood lead in New Orleans

Mielke

Gonzales

Powell³

et al. 2019

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

109

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Data on the implementation and effectiveness of these policies are not widely available (Korfmacher & Hanley, 2013). There are ongoing scholarly arguments about whether it is individual behavior change or institutional behavior and policies that will resolve the problem of lead poisoning (Jacobs, 2013; Korfmacher & Hanley, 2013; Rosner & Markowitz, 2012, 2013a, 2013b; Ryan, 2013). In this context, this article provides an example of a multipronged approach consisting of regulatory policy, the infrastructure to support it, a strong surveillance system to track the results, and a broad campaign to educate and increase awareness.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There has been considerable discussion in the public health community and various literature about the appropriate balance between public health measures focusing on changing individual behavior and those changing institutional practices, environments, and policies. Both elements are necessary to address childhood lead poisoning; namely, a strong policy and legal structure that supports individual actions (Jacobs, 2013; Korfmacher & Hanley, 2013; Rosner & Markowitz, 2012, 2013a, 2013b; Ryan, 2013). Educational and behavioral interventions alone set expectations higher than an individual parent may be empowered to achieve; while enforcement alone also fails if day-to-day maintenance and prevention cannot be undertaken by both the resident and the building owner.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Peeling Lead Paint Turns Into Poisonous Dust. Guess Where It Ends Up? A Media Campaign to Prevent Childhood Lead Poisoning in New York City

et al. 2015

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Successful public health media campaigns promote messages, increase awareness, engage the public, and encourage behavior change. Between 2004 and 2006, the Lead Poisoning Prevention Program of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene conducted a media campaign grounded in social learning theory and the social marketing model to increase parents' awareness of childhood lead poisoning, ways to protect their children, and property owners' legal responsibility to fix peeling lead paint safely, and increase awareness of regulatory changes and encourage enforcement of New York City's Local Law 1 of 2004. Campaign materials were focus group tested and the campaign was refined annually. The campaign ran city-wide and in targeted high-risk neighborhoods. Neighborhoods and media venue (bus, train, kiosk, and store) changed annually, based on population risk factors and venue availability. Exposure to the campaign, campaign-related knowledge, and behavior were assessed using pre- and postcampaign street intercept surveys. Results showed that campaign reached the targeted population, and had an impact on knowledge of lead poisoning prevention measures as evidenced by increased knowledge of lead paint exposures sources in one year and increased knowledge of preventive behaviors in another year; these improvements were observed for both genders and most ethnic, primary language, educational attainment, and age groups in each year. Lessons learned indicate that well-targeted media campaigns, designed with audience participation, can reach parents through various venues, and improve key knowledge areas. Evaluation challenges faced include high levels of knowledge at baseline, competing media messages, and balancing between program needs and evaluation design.

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“…2 The cost-effectiveness needs to be assessed to guide future prevention efforts. 3 Lead is one of the many toxicants (biphenyls, phthalates, mercury, manganese, arsenic, etc.) that pose health threats to children, and The Recommendations may be adapted to other confirmed and suspected toxicants and chemicals of uncertain toxicity.…”

Section: Zhang Et Al Respondmentioning

confidence: 99%