Protecting Children from Exposure to Lead Old Problem, New Data, and New Policy Needs

Abstract

T he detrimental effects of lead exposure in children have been known for over 100 years. Although a few initial measures implemented about 30 years ago were effective in somewhat reducing levels of lead exposure in children, relatively little has been done recently from a policy perspective to protect children from lead. We now know from recent research that much more work is needed. Recent events highlighted in the media show that several urban communities still have unacceptable levels of lead in water systems. Early research identifi ed high levels of lead as being particularly detrimental to children's intellectual and behavioral development. However, new studies have discovered that lower levels of lead, levels once thought safe, also cause considerable damage to children's developmental outcomes. This social policy report summarizes new data on the intellectual, academic, and behavioral defi cits seen in children exposed to both low and high levels of lead, discusses the biological and neurological mechanisms of lead poisoning, explores sources of environmental lead exposure and lead abatement practices, shows that current federal and state-level child screening and lead level reporting practices are inadequate, and makes policy recommendations centered on increasing education, intensifying abatement efforts, strengthening and regulating mandatory screening practices, and reducing the federal threshold of allowable levels of lead.sharing child and youth development knowledge volume 24, number 1 2010Social Policy Report V24 #1

Early Intervention for Children with Intellectual Disabilities: An Update

“…Parents' ability and active efforts to ensure their child's health and safety are also components of family patterns of interaction that likely influence numerous aspects of a child's development both directly and indirectly (Strickland et al . ; Cole & Winsler ).…”

“…Properly organized, extensive opportunities for critical learning experiences for the child are found in these daily interactions in diverse settings and activities (Wilcox & Woods 2011). Parents' ability and active efforts to ensure their child's health and safety are also components of family patterns of interaction that likely influence numerous aspects of a child's development both directly and indirectly (Strickland et al 2004;Cole & Winsler 2010).…”

Why Early Intervention Works

“…Ensuring appropriate nutrition and preventive care such as a proper schedule of immunizations, minimizing child exposure to toxic substances and other environmental hazards, and locating health care professionals to provide proper surveillance and care are only a few of the parental tasks associated with this third family pattern of interaction that influences a child’s development (Cole & Winsler, 2010; Stevenson & Krebs, 2009; Strickland et al, 2004). Of course, sheltering children from neighborhood or domestic violence is crucial as well (Osofsky, 1995).…”

Environmental Lead Exposure and Otoacoustic Emissions in Andean Children

“…Lead (Pb) exposure has been associated with adverse neurocognitive and neurobehavioral outcomes in children (Bellinger, 1996; Cole & Winsler, 2010), as well as with pediatric auditory neurosensory impairment (Holdstein et al, 1986; Schwartz & Otto, 1987, 1991; Dietrich et al, 1992; Osman et al, 1999; Lin et al, 2008). A number of recent review articles on the developmental consequences of Pb exposure, and a policy statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics conclude that Pb exposure induces hearing impairment or subclinical auditory sensory deficits (Markowitz, 2000; Lidsky & Schneider, 2003; American Academy of Pediatrics, 2005; Olympio et al, 2009; Rosin, 2009).…”