Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
children. Each year in the United States, 12,000-16,000
children younger than age 9 are treated for acute lead
poisoning, and about 200 die. About 30% of the sur-
vivors suffer from palsy, partial paralysis, blindness,
and mental retardation.
Children younger than age 6 and unborn fetuses
even with low blood levels of lead are especially vul-
nerable to nervous system impairment, lowered IQ
(by an average of 7.4 points), shortened attention span,
hyperactivity, hearing damage, and various behavior
disorders.
Good news.
Between 1976 and 2000, the percentage
of U.S. children ages 1-5 with blood lead levels above
the safety standard dropped from 85% to 2.2%, so that
at least 9 million childhood lead poisonings were pre-
vented. The primary reason for this trend was that gov-
ernment regulations banned leaded gasoline in 1976
(with complete phaseout by 1986) and lead-based
paints in 1970 (but illegal use continued until about
1978). This is an excellent example of the power of pol-
lution prevention.
Bad news.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) estimates that at least 400,000
U.S. children still have unsafe blood levels of lead
caused by exposure from a number of sources. A major
source is inhalation or ingestion of lead particles from
peeling lead-based paint found in about 38 million
houses built before 1960. Lead can also leach from wa-
ter lines and pipes and faucets containing lead. In ad-
dition, a 1993 study by the U.S. National Academy of
Sciences and numerous other studies indicate
there is
no safe level of lead in children's blood.
Health scientists have proposed a number of ways
to help protect children from lead poisoning, as listed
in Figure 17-21. Although the threat from lead has
been reduced in the United States, it remains a danger
in many developing countries. About 80% of the gaso-
line sold in the world today is unleaded, but about 100
countries still use leaded gasoline. The World Health
Organization (WHO) estimates that 130-200 million
children around the world are at risk from lead poi-
soning, and 15-18 million children in developing
countries have permanent brain damage because of
lead poisoning—mostly from use of leaded gasoline.
Good news.
China recently phased out leaded gasoline
in less than three years.
Solutions
Lead Poisoning
Prevention
Control
Sharply reduce lead
emissions from old and
new incinerators
Phase out leaded
gasoline worldwide
Replace lead pipes and
plumbing fixtures
containing lead solder
Phase out waste
incineration
Remove leaded paint
and lead dust from older
houses and apartments
Test blood for lead by age 1
Remove lead from TV
sets and computer
monitors before
incineration or land
disposal
Ban lead solder in
plumbing pipes, fixtures,
and food cans
Test for lead in existing
ceramicware used to
serve food
Ban lead glazing for
ceramicware used to
serve food
Test existing candles
for lead
Wash fresh fruits and
vegetables
Ban candles with
lead cores
Figure 17-21
Solutions:
ways to help protect children from lead poisoning.
Critical thinking:
which three of the solutions do you believe are the most important?
