Greater Cleveland Lead Advisory Council makes move to protect more children from lead poisoning.

July 19, 2007

Target Segment:

The CDC defines lead poisoning by the amount of lead found in a child's blood. It's measured in micrograms per tenth of a liter.  Since 1991 the federal level for what's considered lead poisoning has been 10 micrograms/deciliter (ug/dl).

Greater Cleveland Lead Advisory Council recently created a level of awareness level for lead poisoning at 5 ug/dl.

By creating the awareness level, suburban kids, once considered safe, may now be at risk.

The change would mean that nearly 6,500 children in Cleveland and an additional 1,500 in the rest of the county are being exposed to dangerous amounts of lead. However, this may be underestimated because so many suburban children are not tested.

Click to view maps of  neighborhoods for blood lead levels ≥10 ug/dl and neighborhoods for blood lead levels ≥5 ug/dL.

Medical evidence shows that even low levels of lead can cause low IQ, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, behavioral problems, stunted growth, impaired hearing and kidney damage. High levels (higher than 10) can lead to mental retardation, coma and death.

The Cleveland Department of Health, Cuyahoga County Board of Health, Shaker Heights Health Department and Lakewood Health Department jointly sent out a letter to 1,200 pediatricians asking them to lead test children between ages one and four.

Parents of children found to have levels between five and nine will receive educational materials about lead exposure and avoidance. It will be recommended the child be re-tested within two to three months and the parents will receive information regarding home lead assessment if necessary.

Click to view a copy of the letter sent to  pediatricians, and facts for healthcare providers.

For more information click here about the lead poisoning prevention program at the Cuyahoga County Board of Health.