Childhood Lead Poisoning
Lead poisoning is a serious, but preventable, public health problem that can result in long-lasting neurological damage to young children. Lead poisoning is defined as a blood lead level greater than or equal to 10 µg/dL of whole blood.
Most cases remain undiagnosed and untreated because low blood lead levels are not often associated with overt symptoms. However, blood lead levels as low as 10 µg/dL can adversely affect intelligence, learning, behavior, and development. At extremely high levels (45 µg/dL or higher), lead poisoning can cause seizures, coma, and even death in children.
Great advances have been made in reducing lead exposure during the past 20 years. Lead is no longer present in gasoline, new supplies of house paint, or cans used for food or beverages. Lead also has been reduced in industrial emissions, drinking water, hazardous waste and consumer goods.
As a result, there has been a decline of more than 80 percent in children's blood lead levels since the mid 1970s. In 1978, roughly 14.8 million children in the United States suffered from lead poisoning. By the late 1990s, that number had declined to 434,000 (2.2%) children, according to estimates of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The Department of Health and Human Services' Healthy People 2010 initiative has set a national goal of eliminating blood lead levels greater or equal to 10 µg/dL among children aged 1-5 years by 2010.
Sources of exposure to lead:
- Lead based paint
- Lead contaminated dust, soil, and water
- Lead containing materials in parental occupations or hobbies
- Lead containing tiles and ceramic ware
- Lead containing imported mini-blinds
- Lead contaminated food
- Some cosmetics and folk remedies
- Lead polluted air in industrial sites and smelters
- Other items such as necklaces, lunch boxes and toys
Risk factors for lead poisoning in Miami-Dade County:
- Living in a home built before 1950
- Living in a recently remodeled home built before 1978
- Living in central urban area or close to major highways
- Having a sibling or playmate with lead poisoning
- Having been exposed to lead poisoning in another country
Miami-Dade County Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP)
Miami-Dade County Health Department has received about 268 reports of elevated blood lead levels annually from 2000 to 2008. One of the most important objectives of the CDC funded CLPPP since its inception in 1999 has been to increase primary prevention activities and lead screening among children at high risk to lead poisoning. In following and modifying the CDC recommendations for targeted screening of children for lead poisoning, Miami-Dade County CLPPP has issued screening guidelines for primary care physicians.
Currently, the CLPPP will be working on the Healthy Homes pilot programs to raise awareness of environmental health risks in homes such as lead-based paint, mold, carbon monoxide, pesticides, and hazardous house hold products through one-on-one family education, realtor and landlord education. To reduce or eliminate environmental hazards in the home, MD CLPPP will refer families to local health and housing programs for fixing their problems.
CLPPP Program activities include:
- Surveillance
- Screening
- Education
- Case management
- Environmental investigations
- Policy development
- Community Outreach Education and Training
Case management services (10 µg Pb/dL):
- Risk Assessment Questionnaire
- Assess exposure
- Identify at-risk siblings and playmates - Education
- Lead poisoning prevention
- Nutrition
- Advise on follow-up care - Facilitate medical care access
- Inform provider of follow-up recommendations
- Refer to WIC, Healthy Start, Children’s Medical Services and other social services - Environmental Investigations
- Home Investigations
- BLL’s greater than or equal to 20 µg Pb/dL
- BLL’s persistently greater than or equal to 15 µg Pb/dL
- Increase in BLL
- More than one lead poisoned child in home
Information about Lead Poisoning
For the community:
Providing a Barrier Between Your Children and Lead Hazards (downloadable brochure)
Lead Poisoning Information
Childhood Lead Risk Questionnaire
For healthcare providers:
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Reporting Form
Childhood Lead Risk Questionnaire for healthcare professionals
Download Screening Guidelines
Reporting Guidelines
Who: All healthcare providers are required to report lead poisoning [Florida Statute 381.0031(1, 2) and Florida Administrative Code 64D-3]
What: Reportable level: greater than or equal to 10 µg Pb/dL blood. HIPAA not a concern.
How: Call (305) 470-6877 or fax report form to (305) 470-5533.
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Reporting Form
For medical management questions:
Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Contact Information for Childhood Lead Poisoning and Prevention Program:
Address: 8600 NW 17th Street, Suite 200
Miami, Florida 33126
Phone: 305-470-6877
Fax (Confidential): 305-470-5533
Office hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday through Friday
An after hours on-call system is available 24/7.
For information regarding Miami-Dade County Health Department services please call our Main Number (305) 324-2400. For Florida Relay Services, please call 1-800-955-8771.
