Preventing lead exposure in young children : a housing-based approach to primary prevention of lead poisoning : recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention

This document presents recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention (ACCLPP) for a housing-based approach to primary prevention of childhood lead poisoning to accelerate progress toward achieving the Healthy People 2010 objective of eliminating elevated blood lead levels (BLLs), defined as at or above 10 micrograms per deciliter (>_ 10 \u3bcg/dL), in children.1 Childhood lead exposure and its resultant clinical manifestations ranging from elevated BLLs to frank lead poisoning remain a major public health problem among young children in the United States. Lead adversely affects children's cognitive and behavioral development, which is strongly related to their future productivity and expected earnings. Dramatic reductions in BLLs of U.S. children during 1970 - 1990 were attributed to population-based primary prevention policies (such as the banning of lead in gasoline) in conjunction with improved lead screening and identification of children with elevated BLLs. Estimates based on 1999 - 2000 nationally representative data suggest that about 2.2% of children aged 1 - 5 years (about 434,000 children) have elevated BLLs.2 Research suggests that these elevated BLLs result primarily from exposure to lead in nonintact paint, interior settled dust, and exterior soil and dust in and around older deteriorating housing. Renovation in older housing also creates substantial lead hazards unless dust is contained and the areas are thoroughly cleaned. Although many sources of lead exposure exist for children, the recommendations in this report focus on preventing childhood exposure to lead-based paint hazards in and around housing.Suggested reference: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preventing Lead Exposure in Young Children: A Housing-Based Approach to Primary Prevention of Lead Poisoning. Atlanta: CDC; 2004.Acknowledgements -- Executive summary -- Eight elements of a comprehensive program for primary prevention of childhood lead poisoning -- Members of the Advisory Committee on Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention -- Glossary -- Introduction -- Childhood lead exposure as a public health problem -- Appendix I. Sample Roles and Responsibilities for Primary Prevention of Childhood Lead Poisoning -- Appendix II. Options for Targeting High-Risk Families with Young Children -- Appendix III. Developing and Codifying Specifications for Lead-Safe Housing Treatments -- Appendix IV. Intersections of Primary and Secondary Prevention -- \ufffc\ufffc\ufffc\ufffc\ufffc\ufffc\ufffc\ufffc\ufffc\ufffc\ufffc\ufffc\ufffc\ufffc\ufffc\ufffc\ufffc\ufffc\ufffc\ufffcAppendix V. Building Blocks for Primary Prevention: Protecting Children from Lead-Based Paint Hazards Project Synopsis -- Appendix VI. Resources References.2004CurrentPrevention and ControlEnvironmental Healt