Today is the start of the WHO International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, but UK health and housing policy leaders seem to have a blind spot regarding lead toxicity. This is despite 55% of UK homes probably still having some lead paint, and 6-9 million still having some lead pipes (HHSRS). Unicef estimate that between 180,000 and 280,000 UK children have elevated blood lead levels.
Exposure to lead is linked to problems such as miscarriage, reduced growth, premature labour, and development of the baby’s brain and nervous system causing permanent problems with learning as the child gets older as described in an article in the Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy (BUMPS) series. The last time any study was done was in the 1990s (Taylor et al, 2013) when it was found that 14% of pregnant mothers had elevated blood lead levels. Lead exposure in early life is also linked to IQ loss, ADHD, lower academic achievement, decreased hearing, and language difficulties (NTP Monograph on low level lead). Small children are at risk because they absorb more lead than adults, their brains and nervous system are more sensitive, and they often put their hands, or non-food items, in their mouths and ingest dust or dirt.
In the USA the Centre for Disease Control say that lead poisoning is 100% preventable and the Environmental Protection Agency provide information on how to keep your unborn baby or child safe.
The LEAPP Alliance is a group of academics, service providers, advocates and parents who are campaigning to achieve improvements in the UK response to continued lead exposure. You can find out more on our website, in this one page summary, and this leaflet for parents.
Tim Pye
#LeadPoisoning
#ILPPW2022