Study Shows up to 38% of Childhood Lead Poisoning Cases are Linked to Consumer Products in Four Key US Regions/Areas
17 Julio 2024 - 12:22PM
Business Wire
Researchers call for a national tracking database and
intervention in countries where the lead contamination
originates.
- First-of-its-kind study examines sources of lead poisoning in
2,000 cases across New York City, King County, Washington,
California and Oregon.
- Researchers found that consumer products (e.g., spices,
cosmetics, metal cookware, and ceramics) were a source of lead
exposure in 15 to 38% of lead poisoning cases.
- Authors call for a national database of consumer products
associated with lead poisoning cases; urge stakeholders to work
together to prevent contamination at its source.
New research “A Snapshot of Lead in Consumer Products Across
Four U.S. Jurisdictions” just published in Environmental Health
Perspectives found that up to 38% of childhood lead poisoning cases
across four United States jurisdictions are associated with
exposures to consumer products, including imports. The authors, a
team of researchers from Pure Earth and local health authorities in
the United States, issued an urgent call to establish a national
tracking database to identify lead-containing consumer products
that are associated with elevated blood lead levels in the US that
can inform interventions in countries where the contamination
originates.
"We've long known about the risk of lead exposures from
traditional sources like paint and pipes," says Kate Porterfield,
lead author of the study and Special Projects Lead with Pure Earth.
“But our research expands on this story. Imported consumer
products, from spices to ceramics, are also contributing to blood
lead levels above the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) blood lead reference value (BLRV) of 3.5 ug/dL in the United
States."
Conducted across four jurisdictions in California, Oregon, New
York City, and King County, Washington, the study analyzed data
from over 2,000 home investigations from 2010-2021. In this study,
15% to nearly 40% of the home investigations resulted in consumer
products being identified as a potential source of lead
exposure.
The implications of the study’s findings extend far beyond the
United States. Lead-containing consumer products, which include
certain spices, cosmetics, ceramics, metal cookware, traditional
health remedies and cultural powders, are mostly manufactured in
low- and middle-income countries. By uncovering the global origins
of these tainted products, the researchers emphasize the urgent
need for international cooperation in addressing the lead poisoning
crisis.
"The connection between local and global is undeniable," says
Paromita Hore, Director of Environmental Exposure Assessment and
Education in New York City Health Department. "What starts as a
home investigation in Queens could lead us to a marketplace in
Dhaka. It's time for a coordinated effort to tackle this issue at
its source."
Highlighting the importance of incorporating consumer product
surveillance into lead poisoning prevention strategies, the authors
conclude with an urgent call for action:
“Time is of essence and the groundwork for this repository must
be implemented federally to make this process standardized and
effective. In addition to putting in efforts towards reducing
housing related lead sources, actions must be taken to prevent
further exposures from lead containing consumer products.”
Read the full press release.
About Pure Earth
Established in 1999, Pure Earth is a pioneer in developing
evidence-based solutions to lead pollution and poisoning, as well
as mercury pollution. Guided by our commitment to transparency,
collaboration, impact measurement and technical excellence, Pure
Earth works with partners around the world to sustainably address
the root causes of these environmental health threats. We work to
stop the multigenerational cycle of exposure and poisoning that is
endemic in many low and middle-income countries. Pure Earth
partners with governments, communities and industry to identify and
implement solutions that stop toxic exposures, protect health, and
restore environments. Learn more at www.pureearth.org.
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