Occurrence and determinants of increases in blood lead levels in children shortly after lead hazard control activities

Lead Exposures in U.S. Children, 2008: Implications for Prevention

“…Nonetheless, disturbing lead painted surfaces can increase the BLLs of children living in those units during repair work unless appropriate controls are instituted, especially dust clearance levels (Amitai et al 1991; Bellinger et al 1986; HUD 1995). Studies of well-conducted renovation activities show that although lead hazard interventions reduce most children’s BLLs, about 10% of the time BLLs significantly increased (CDC 1997; Clark et al 2004); young children (< 18 months of age) are at highest risk of increases. BLLs of children who continued to live in the house or relocated for less than the full work period also were significantly more likely to increase than those of children who relocated for the entire renovation.…”

Stabilization/solidification of lead-contaminated soil using cement and rice husk ash

“…Anthropogenic activities such as agriculture and manufacturing of industrial goods have directly or indirectly contributed mass amounts of lead-based contaminants into the environment, of which soil surface and subsurface are among the recipients. It is an established fact that these soil contaminants present serious environmental and health hazards, particularly to young children of which lead poisoning is prevalent [1]. The soil remediation technique of solidification/stabilization (S/S) offers an effective means of treating the lead-contaminated soils by significantly reducing the mobility and solubility of lead in the soils.…”

Prevention of Childhood Lead Toxicity

“…42 Scraping, sanding, or construction during painting, repair, renovation, or abatement of older housing can result in lead contamination of a child's environment. 41,[43][44][45]54 In a controlled study of children with baseline blood lead concentrations 7 44 reported that 6-month-old infants were 11 times more likely to have a ≥5 μg/dL (≥50 ppb) increase in blood lead concentrations after abatement compared with older children. Spanier et al 45 reported that routine renovation of older housing was associated with a 12% higher mean blood lead concentration.…”

“…31 Unless performed carefully, attempts to reduce lead exposure, such as abatement, repair, or renovation, can result in increased contamination and elevation in a child's blood lead concentration. [43][44][45] Dust clearance tests, which involve collecting dust from floors or windows of a home by using a lead-free material that resembles a baby wipe, should be conducted after extensive repair, renovation, or abatement of older housing units to determine whether the housing intervention was sufficient to protect children from lead hazards, especially in housing units built before 1960. 27,34 Property owners are required to disclose possible presence of leadbased paint in properties built before 1978 and are required to provide the blue pamphlet from the EPA, HUD, and Consumer Product Safety Commission titled "Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home" at the time of rental or sale.…”

“…40 Ingestions of lead-contaminated house dust and soil are also the primary pathways of exposure for children who live in homes that were recently abated or renovated. [43][44][45] Sampling house dust for lead hazards involves using a special wipe to sample a specified area, such as the floor, which is readily accessible to a child, or a window sill or window trough. 36 Windows are often more heavily contaminated than floors because exterior paints often contained higher concentrations of lead, and window troughs can act as reservoirs.…”