Understanding Elevated Blood Lead Levels In Children
An elevated blood lead level is a concentration of lead in the blood that is higher than the reference value established by California’s Department of Health, typically measured in micrograms per deciliter (μg/dL). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) uses a higher lead blood level than the California Department of Health. When a child is involved, always use the lowest level. No lead is our preference, but we do follow the CDPH guidelines currently define an elevated blood lead level as 3.5 mcg/dl. This is the current allowed level in San Francisco.
Sources of Lead Exposure
Lead-based Paint
Lead-based paint was widely used in residential buildings before it was banned in 1978. When this paint deteriorates or is disturbed during renovation, repair work or door and window friction points, it can release lead dust and chips, posing a significant exposure risk, especially for children who may ingest or inhale the lead particles.
Lead In Soil And Dust
Soil and dust can become contaminated with lead from various sources, including deteriorating lead-based paint, industrial emissions, and past use of leaded gasoline. Children can be exposed to lead through hand-to-mouth activities or playing in contaminated areas.
Lead In Water
If lead in drinking water is a concern, steps will need to be taken to replace lead service lines or install water filtration systems to reduce lead exposure from this source. This also applies to your child’s day care center. Lead water testing in certain child care facilities is required by law. See AB2370. This Bill is extensive and expensive testing if mandated. We hope these requirements can be expanded to schools; especially grade schools.
Potential health effects of lead exposure in children
Lead exposure, particularly from lead-based paint, poses a significant risk to children, primarily due to their developing brains and nervous systems. Lead is a neurotoxin that can cause a range of neurological and cognitive effects in young children, some of which may be irreversible.
Here are the primary neurological effects of lead exposure in children:
Neurological Effects
Lead exposure has been linked to increased behavioral issues in children. These can include problems such as hyperactivity, attention deficits (such as ADHD), and increased impulsivity. Children exposed to lead may also show signs of aggression, anxiety, and depression.
Learning Difficulties
Lead negatively affects children’s cognitive abilities, leading to learning disabilities. This can manifest as difficulties in reading, writing, and math, impacting the child’s academic performance and educational development.
Sadly these effects may become life long, so it is critical the sources of lead be cleaned up as thoroughly and quickly as possible.
Lead-based Paint Cleanup Abatement
Identifying the source or sources of all lead-based paint is not a handyman/contractor type of job. This requires training and specialized equipment. American Air Testing holds multiple lead certifications that require licensing and continuing training. To accurately identify all sources of lead we use tools for this identification by CDPH and HUD.
Clearance testing
Once the cleaning is complete, a certified lead inspector or risk assessor must conduct clearance testing to ensure that lead dust, water and soil levels are within acceptable limits before the area can be re-occupied.