(Chris Johnson)

Recent stories about lead including nearly 2,000 children lead poisoned in two separate incidents in China and Kansas City, MO’s desire to safely repaint 22,000 fire hydrants, many of which have lead-based paint set me to thinking about my days doing community lead education. The challenge was always to keep the message simple, direct, and on point; not always easy with a subject as complex as lead. The problem was always the exception rather than the rule, and how much of the exception do you include in your presentation without overwhelming your audience. It is an established fact that the majority of cases of lead poisoning typically occur through children less than six years of age eating lead dust by engaging in the hand-to-mouth activities commonly associated with this age group. Yet even a cursory reading of the literature reveals that lead dust is by no means the only source of lead poisoning. Thus, I decided to do a brief search of some of these other sources. Here is what a short Google search turned up.

Dust is a major source of lead and the majority of the dust comes from deteriorating lead based paint or soil containing lead. However, let us not forget that lead dust is not the only source and lead poisoning. There are numerous other sources as well. Other sources include ethnic remedies such as azarcon, greta, alarcon, coral, luiga, maria luisa, or rueda and cosmetics such as surma, sindoor, kohl, kajal, al-kahl may contain lead.  Include children’s toys, candies, cosmetics, crayons, chalk, lunch boxes, glue tubes, and jewelry as potential sources. Common household items such as electrical cords and electrical wiring may be a source of lead. An adult electrician was severely lead poisoned from the paint on the electrical wires that he chewed on while working. Other common potential lead sources are vinyl products such as mini blinds, patio furniture, and even artificial Christmas trees.  Household dishes, pottery, and fine crystal may contain lead. Add to the list electronic and computer components, car batteries, calcium supplements, pool cue chalk, fishing sinkers, bullets, pewter, solder, candlewicks, and garden hoses. Old porcelain bathtubs often were finished with lead glazes. There is at least one case in the literature of an adult poisoned by homemade wine fermented in an old porcelain tub and several years ago a group of adults were lead poisoned after consuming drugs manufactured in old bathtubs. Lead has even been found in seasonings such as paprika. Even nursing babies may not be safe. Searching on Google, I came across a case of a baby being lead poisoned due to breast-feeding because the nipple shield the mother used had a high lead content.

What do I conclude? Dust is still the major source, the major problem and needs to be a major educational focus. However, informing the public of other lead sources is important as well. Think of last year’s lead in toys issue, for example.

As long as lead is in our environment, the risk of lead poisoning exists, and for the foreseeable future lead will continue to exist. Therefore, education about the sources of lead is a key component in the campaign to preventing lead poisoning. Thanks to all the educators who spend countless hours creating communities well informed about preventing lead poisoning.