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Lead Facts
Lead Facts and Awareness
Lead Poisoning: chronic
intoxication that is produced by the absorption of lead
into the system and is characterized by severe colicky
pains, a dark line along the gums, and local muscular
paralysis - Webster’s Lead Toxicity or Lead
Poisoning is a preventable, man-made disease. LEAD is a
neurotoxin- LEAD poisons the brain. LEAD is a heavy
metal that offers absolutely no benefits to the human
body. Exposure to LEAD has been positively associated
with hearing loss, severe hypertension/high blood
pressure, delinquency, criminal behavior, kidney damage,
nerve damage, brain damage, insanity and DEATH.
Childhood lead poisoning was first describe around
100 years ago in Brisbane, Australia. The first cases of
childhood lead poisoning in the United States were
reported in 1917.
Today childhood lead poisoning has reached epidemic
proportions.
Lead Poisoning is the most common and devastating
environmental disease among young children. Most
lead poisoned children do not exhibit any obvious
symptoms and most cases go undiagnosed. All children
form birth through age six should be tested for lead.
INSIST that your pediatrician conduct routine testing.
Don't delay, have your child (ren) tested today!
Established in 1996, United
Parents Against Lead (UPAL National) is a
networking organization of and for parents of lead
poisoned children dedicated to ending the continuing
threat of lead poisoning through education, advocacy and
resource referral. Formed by parents of lead poisoned
children, UPAL National's mission is to provide
education and information that will empower parents to
make informed decisions. UPAL National is a National
501©3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Richmond,
Virginia.
In the state of Virginia there are upwards of 25,000
children affected by lead, 1 million in the United
States. UPAL National works with families of lead
poisoned children by providing assistance with
relocation, educational and medical needs.
UPAL National’s national director, Zakia Shabazz, has
written a book entitled “A Child
is a Terrible Thing to Waste” which chronicles
her family’s experience with and triumphant over lead
poisoning.
Lead Poisoning Facts
- The Centers of Disease Control lists lead
poisoning as one of the most serious environmental
health threats to children.
- Nearly 1 million U.S. children of all ages, and
435,000 children aged 1-5 have been diagnosed with
dangerously elevated lead blood levels.
- About 25% of the U.S. housing stock-about 24
million homes-are estimated to contain significant
lead poisoning hazards; about 4 million of these are
homes to one or more young children.
- Lead is a neurotoxin that collects in the bones
and causes permanent, irreversible brain damage and
other health problems such as seizures, hearing
impairment, blindness, and coma-it can also be
fatal.
- Children under the age of 6 are the most
vulnerable to lead poisoning effects, and those
ingesting significant amounts of lead dust face a
lifetime of attention deficit, hyperactivity and
behavioral problems.
- Studies have shown significant health and
learning problems can result from lead blood levels
well below the federal health concern level of 10
micrograms per deciliter of blood, and that lower
levels of lead exposure have been linked to lower
intelligence and violent behavior.
- While 4.4% of children nationally have elevated
lead blood levels, the problem is much more acute
for low-income and minority living in older homes:
for instance, 22% of African American and 13% of
Mexican-American children living in homes built
before 1946 have lead poisoning; and in some "hot
zone" neighborhoods the percentage can reach 60-70%.
- A recent study by the University of Pittsburgh
found that boys with high bone-lead levels are
significantly more likely to exhibit aggressive and
delinquent behavior by the time criminally
delinquent youth were 4 times more likely to have
high lead blood levels.
- The risk for dropping out of school is 6 times
higher for children with high lead blood levels,
according to one study
- Lead Poisoning is 100% preventable
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