Primary Prevention of Childhood Lead Poisoning — The Only Solution

Intellectual Impairment in Children with Blood Lead Concentrations below 10 μg per Deciliter

“…Because there is no effective treatment for children with moderately elevated blood lead concentrations, 40 the collective evidence argues for a shift toward primary prevention of lead exposure in contrast to the current, almost exclusive emphasis on the treatment of children with elevated blood lead concentrations. [48][49][50] * Data obtained at the age of three years were similar to the data obtained at five years of age and are not shown. Differences among the groups were not significant (P<0.05) for any variable at the age of either three or five years.…”

Iron Fortification Reduces Blood Lead Levels in Children in Bangalore, India

“…58 Because chelation therapy in lead-exposed children seems to produce no clear benefit on cognition, 59 prevention of lead poisoning may be the only way to avoid neurotoxicity. 60 Although not a solution to lead exposure, our data suggest providing iron in a fortified food to lead-exposed children is safe and may reduce chronic lead intoxication. If these findings are confirmed, iron fortification could be a simple, cost-effective strategy 61 to accompany environmental lead abatement.…”

Lead Exposure in Children: Prevention, Detection, and Management

“…Cooperation with the health department in investigating and decreasing the source is necessary. Although some authorities insist that moving children to unleaded housing or removal of all lead paint from their current housing is the only acceptable solution, 51 alternative housing is rarely available and extensive onsite removal of leaded paint can raise the concentration in house dust and resident children. 52 Lead in soil is higher around houses with exterior lead paint and in places where there has been a smokestack or other point source or heavy traffic.…”