...What is lead? Lead is a naturally occurring metal found in small amounts of the Earth’s crust. Although lead has been previously used as an ingredient in paint, gas, and plumbing, it is poisonous and can be dangerous to your and your child’s health. Why is lead harmful? Once lead is consumed it is incorporated into the skeletal system and can cause severe health problems. Lead can be especially harmful to children under the age of six because they absorb more lead than adults and their nervous systems and brain are more sensitive to lead’s toxic effects. Lead exposure in children can cause numerous problems in a child’s development and behavior, such as: • Damage to the brain and nervous system • Slowed growth and development (such as delayed puberty) • Learning and behavioral problems • Hearing and speech problems How do children get lead poisoning?...
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...CASE STUDY 1 – THE CHILDREN WITH LEAD POISONING A physician working for the US Public Health Service moves to Los Angeles to assume the directorship of an inner-city health care facility for the disadvantaged. Over a period of time, she notices that an unusually large number of children brought to clinic are experiencing joint pain, difficulty walking and excessive salivation. Some have had seizures. Also many of their parents note that the children’s personalities have changed, with normally outgoing children becoming shy and withdrawn. The physician decides to investigate the situation and contacts the CDC, which sends an epidemiologist to assist her. They obtain more complete medical histories for 15 children, ranging from 6-15 years of age and perform blood and urine tests on each. In addition to the signs and symptoms already noted, the children frequently report numbness and tingling in their limbs; they perform poorly on hearing, vision and intelligence tests; their lab results how reduced RBC counts and traces of lead in blood and urine. All of these children live in the same housing project, play together in the same neighborhood and contribute a little to the family finances by salvaging scrap metal from a closed manufacturing plant nearby and selling it to recyclers. When the epidemiologist inspects the site, he finds paint peeling from the factory walls and dust on the floor composed in large part of pulverized paint chips. Analysis of the paint chips and dust...
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...Case Study 1-The Children with Lead Poisoning 1) What is the etiology of the mental and physiological signs shown by these patients? -The cause of the mental and physiological signs shown by these patients is lead poisoning. The toxins within the lead are effecting the brain and nerves of the patients. 2) What risk factors for lead poisoning can you identify in this case study? -In this particular case study the risk factors include: Occupation-children collecting scrap metal with in a lead infested old factory for money Age- children from ages 6 to 15 were the ones salvaging the scrap metal Diet- the elderly woman’s habit of compulsively chewing on nonnutritive substances 3) Is lead a toxin? -According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), “No amount of lead is safe. Eliminating all lead exposure in our environment is our best course of action. New findings from NIEHS-supported grantees, as well as the National Toxicology Program (NTP) have found many adverse health effects in both children and adults at blood levels below 10 micrograms per deciliter (ug/dL) and for some below 5 ug/dL.” (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences 2014.) 4) Do any of the people in this story exhibit idiopathic lead poisoning? Why or Why not? -No, the term idiopathic is defined as a disease in which no cause can be identified. Due to the fact that the reason for all the signs...
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...Lead Poisoning Lead Poisoning * Each year in the United States 310,000 1- to 5-year-old kids are found to have unsafe levels of lead in their blood, which can lead to a wide range of symptoms, from headaches and stomach pain to behavioral problems and anemia. * Lead poisoning can lead to decreased bone and muscle growth, poor muscle coordination, developmental delay, speech, hearing and kidney problems. * Since child’s brain is developing, lead poisoning can lead to mental impairment. * Each year in the United States 310,000 1- to 5-year-old kids are found to have unsafe levels of lead in their blood, which can lead to a wide range of symptoms, from headaches and stomach pain to behavioral problems and anemia. * Lead poisoning can lead to decreased bone and muscle growth, poor muscle coordination, developmental delay, speech, hearing and kidney problems. * Since child’s brain is developing, lead poisoning can lead to mental impairment. When the body is exposed to lead — by being inhaled, swallowed, or in a small number of cases, absorbed through the skin — it can act as a poison. Exposure to high lead levels in a short period of time is called acute toxicity. Exposure to small amounts of lead over a long period of time is called chronic toxicity. When the body is exposed to lead — by being inhaled, swallowed, or in a small number of cases, absorbed through the skin — it can act as a poison. Exposure to high lead levels in a short period of time...
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... Mikayla Schott Pollution: A Pressing Issue Pollution is one of the most harmful environmental issues our earth faces today. Pollution is defined as the initiation of contaminants into the environment. The most alarming factor about pollution is that it is almost entirely the result of human action. One of the most polluted nations is China; contrarily, though many Americans fight to protect the environment from such harm, there still exists pollution in our nation, today. Unfortunately, pollution affects everyone; however, children are suffering everywhere from their lack of knowledge of how to protect themselves from such harm, as well as the fact that much of the detrimental effects of pollution in children’s health occurs before they are even born, when they are still in the womb. Negative reports of reproductive health in China prompted scientists to look further. The effects of pollution on the development of children in China and America, though different, are comparable. Pollution in China has increased due to the rapid industrialization of the nation in the past 30 years. According to the World Bank reports in 2007, “of the 20 most polluted cities in the world, cities in China account for 16 of them.” And according to Environment and Reproductive Health in China “Air quality in China is among the worst in the world, with air pollution levels in many cities well above permissible limits, and half of the water resources in China are considered too polluted...
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...Literature Review Background on Lead Lead is a naturally occurring metal found in small amounts (0.002%) throughout the earth’s surface and deep beneath the ground (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 2014; Environmental Protection Agency, 2014; World Health Organization, 2010). It is described as a heavy, low melting, and bluish-gray metal (Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, 2007). The toxicity of lead has been known ever since Roman times (WHO, 2010), when a Greek physician and poet, Nicander, described it as “gleaming, deadly white lead” (Needleman, 2009, p. 235) and, Dioscorides, a physician of Nero, described “lead makes the mind give away” (Needleman, 2009, p. 235). World Health Organization cites (Eisinger,...
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...Importance of Lead Poisoning * It can cause serious harmful problems effects on the body including: hearing, anemia, peripheral neuropathies, wrist/foot drop, encephalopathy, seizures, coma, and even death. It can also cause children to have lower IQ scores and behavioral issues. * Lead stays within the body for decades, stored within the bones of the human body. * In pregnant women, lead can cross the placental barrier and cause harm to the fetus such as reduced growth and prematurity. Importance of Lead Poisoning * It can cause serious harmful problems effects on the body including: hearing, anemia, peripheral neuropathies, wrist/foot drop, encephalopathy, seizures, coma, and even death. It can also cause children to have lower IQ scores and behavioral issues. * Lead stays within the body for decades, stored within the bones of the human body. * In pregnant women, lead can cross the placental barrier and cause harm to the fetus such as reduced growth and prematurity. Lead Poisoning in Infants Lead Poisoning in Infants Resources Available * Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Program (Tucson)-Serves low-income families with children under 6 years old. 310 N. Commerce Park Loop, Tucson, AZ 85745 520-791-4171 * Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program-Focuses on food, candies, Mexican folk remedies, and ceramics 150 N. 18th Ave., Ste. 130, Phoenix, Az 85007 602-364-3118 * National Resource * Web-Based Resource ...
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...diagnosed with lead poisoning. That state has decided that they will reduce the safety threshold for lead in children’s blood, making a standard level not normal anymore. More kids will be diagnosed with lead poisoning, and there house will undergo abatement measures. The city is going to get ahold of the families with children who have elevated lead levels at the lower threshold, ask questions about their living conditions and advise them on what steps to take. Some of these homes are going to lose a lot of these materials such as Lead-contaminated objects that are porous or materials that may suffer damage from water may not be able to be sufficiently decontaminated should be discarded. The City health inspectors as stated in the article will be assessing 250 homes over three years that are suspected of having lead-based paint. The federal government banned lead in paint in 1978. Lead poisoning doesn't only occur in children, but adults too. Adults can get it from leaded soldering fumes, lead tainted soil or heroin. It takes more lead to poison adults than children because an adult's body has formed and is prepared for such things unlike children who are still growing. Some common symptoms of lead poisoning in adults are fatigue, depression, heart failure and high blood pressure. “Exposure to high levels of lead can damage a child’s kidneys, slow body growth and harm mental development” (Ferenchik, 2014). The state has also stated that the amount of children who are diagnosed...
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...Childhood lead poisoning is one of the most common pediatric problems currently in the United States, despite the fact that it’s very preventable. Lead poisoning is a danger because in most cases, it is without symptoms; therefore, it can go undiagnosed and even untreated. In statements published by the CDC in 1985, the threshold for blood lead level was 25 µg/dL, however it was noted that adverse effects occur at levels as low as 10 µg/dL [3]. Since health effects have been noted in levels even lower than 10 µg/dL, there is no set threshold as to what level of lead poisoning can be considered a danger. Therefore, primary prevention utilizes the involvement of pediatric health-care providers, public housing agencies, and public organizations...
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...July 2020 PRB) Overall child mortality declined significantly in the 1990’s , but environmental hazard’s still kill at least 3 million children under the age of 5 year. Infants are vulnerable due to their sizes, behavior, and developmental stage. These environmental factor lead can affect the infants health by causing brain damage, developmental problems. Infants have the behavior of crawling and anything / objects in their way, they put in their mouth. Infants are exposed to indoor/out door pollution, non toxic agents like cooking, smoking, air and heating. According to World Health Organization ( WHO) children are exposed to indoor air pollution on a regular basis, and it estimated that many children die from acute respiratory infection, lead poisoning ,and exposure to hazardous chemical and exposure to pesticides. The environmental factor I chose is lead poisoning. Lead poisoning is a build up of lead in the body, usually over months or years. Lead poisoning is a major environmental health hazard/ factor that affects infants in developing countries. According to the Environmental Defense and Alliance, to end childhood lead poisoning. Lead poisoning is very dangerous, it potentially affect the infants been exposed to it by causing hearing impairment, causes infertility, kidney damage, anemia, brain damage, poor development, may lead to coma and death. Studies have proved...
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...1. In this case lead poisoning form the factory walls 2. The risk factors in this case study are where the people lived and the financial circumstances they faced. 3. Lead is not a toxin. 4. None of the people in this story exhibit an idiopathic lead poisoning because the cause for every case of lead poisoning is known 5. Yes a syndrome is a collection of signs, symptoms, and degenerative processes that occur together in a particular disease. In this case the children show symptoms of joint pain, excessive salivating, seizures, and personality changes all around the same time. 6. In this case the histopathology became relevant when test were taken of patients blood and urine. 7. Morbidity: insufficient information. In this case there are certainly a high number of children who had lead poisoning however I assume it would depend on the population of the area there could be a lot more people than we think there was. Mortality: insufficient information. In this case death of any child ,due the lead poisoning, was neither mentioned or studied thus I must conclude that the mortality was low. Prevalence: Yes. The case it self’s says that the Prevalence of lead poisoning is high. Of the 112 children examined during the course of the study, over 70 show at least some signs and symptoms. Incidence: Yes. In this case the physician noticed an unusually large number of children brought to the clinic experiencing the same symptoms over a period of time, and until...
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...named Elmer Galbraith who has mysteriously contracted lead poisoning and is frantically searching for the cause to his illness. Throughout the story Carey uses suspense and dialogue to grab the attention of the everyday reader. The most obvious way that Carey builds interest is by creating suspense. He begins the story by describing the symptoms that Elmer has, continuing to do so for the first five paragraphs. As the story progresses, the interest towards Elmer’s illness grows. Once Carey has the reader hooked, he reveals that Elmer is actually suffering from lead poisoning. After Elmer’s illness is revealed, the reader stars to wonder what is actually causing the lead poisoning, which creates even more suspense. Using suspense keeps the reader interested and alert throughout the story. If Carey simply stated at the beginning that Elmer suffered from lead poisoning obtained by chewing plastic wire coating, then the reader would not read the rest of the story to learn about the symptoms and complications of lead poisoning. By creating suspense, Carey ensures readers actively read and understand the story. Another way that Benedict Carey is able to grab the interest of the reader is through dialogue. Reading words that were actually spoken by the characters is an excellent way to draw the audience into the story. For instance, the conversation between Galbraith and Kelley about the possible causes of the lead poisoning successfully accomplishes this goal. The reader gets a...
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...Question 1: Lead and lead poisoning Lead is a natural metal found in the earth. Lead poisoning can occur if exposure to high levels of lead happens within a short period of time. Lead enters the body via: •Water: About 20% of lead exposure comes through water because water runs through lead pipes connected to our taps. • Air that has been contaminated • Food It enters canned food which were sealed with lead solder. •Soil: lead dust that might have settled on soil and then eaten. Lead poisoning affects more kids than adults. The largest threat to children is lead paint. Whether lead is breathed in or swallowed in, it still causes the same health problems. Problems related to overexposure of lead are, amongst others: • Constant headaches • Pains in the abdomen • Being tired all the time •Constipation • Fatigue •Forgetfulness In extreme cases, lead poisoning can lead to: •brain damage •kidney failure •cancer •seizures Very high levels of lead exposure can also be fatal. Lead is toxic to the nervous system, bones and heart. The symptoms of lead poisoning in children doesnot always show if the child has lead poisoning. It is important for educators to try and prevent lead exposure to children of all ages by putting certain measures in place. For example: •Educate learners of safe drinking habits, eg. Not to drink water from the bathroom taps, to let the tap run a little bit before drinking water, Encourage the drinking of bottled water • Ensure that equipment is well maintained...
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...What is lead poisoning and the effects of it on humans? Lead Poisoning Lead is a highly common element with an atomic number of 82. It is very soft which makes it very malleable. It is also a weak conductor for electricity. Lead is naturally found in soil and is quite poisonous. During the 1920’s and 2000, tons of millions of lead were mined and were enormous during the 20th century. Lead was normally used as a resource in items until the 1970’s. This hazardous material was commonly found in inexpensive children toys and jewelry, window blinds (the continuous exposure of UV rays caused the blinds to degrade), pipes, bullets, and was used in radioactive situations (radiation suits/x-rays). It is also found in drinking water: the pipes overtime corrode causing it to enter into the water. The most common source was from paint; specifically old paint. Lead had the ability to enhance the quality of it which made it able to last longer and cover the surface it was upon better. However, in 1978 the government banned the use of lead paint. Numerous houses and toys before this probably contained lead-based paint. This was very problematic because when paint chips or turns into dust, it floats in the air which can be harmful when it gets into your system. This is also known as lead poisoning. When lead is inhaled or swallowed it is very hazardous and poisonous. Once inside the body it is circulated throughout the body like many minerals such as calcium, zinc, and iron. Lead is like...
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...Lead poisoning can have serious effects on development in children. Because lead is present everywhere in our environment, parents need to be especially diligent to supervise their children when around known lead sources (Graziano 2002). Lead is not only dangerous to youth after birth, but also while still in utero, as it is a teratogen. One case example of this is a pregnant woman who had been shot 15 years prior to pregnancy. A bullet had been lodged in her spine and remained there. The lead from the bullet caused lead poisoning in her and her child (https://www.poison.org/articles/2011-dec/unusual-sources-of-lead-poisoning). Symptoms of lead poisoning can be misleading and only with a blood test can it be determined. However, common symptoms and long-term effects are abdominal pain, sleep problems, headaches, high blood pressure, anemia, and kidney dysfunction. Prolonged exposure can lead to low IQ, problems with hearing, and growth delays. Further, very high toxic doses of lead poisoning could even produce “emergency” symptoms like muscle weakness, seizures, and coma (https://www.healthline.com/health/lead-poisoning#symptoms)....
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