Overview of Lead
Lead and lead exposure is a major public health risk. Lead affects nearly 900,000
young children at a cost of 42 billion dollars annually. Fewer than 1 in 7 children
age 6 and under are actually screened for lead exposure (Environmental Work Group,
2010). Current evidence shows significant neurological damage and conduct disorders
in children with much lower levels of lead than 5mcg/dl (CDC, 2015).
Complications of lead poisoning:
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- Behavior and attention problems (such as ADHD)
- Problems in school
- Hearing problems
- Kidney damage
- High blood pressure
- Reduced IQ
- Slowed body growth