|
Lab Services - Lead Screening
Missouri Facts
- Fact: Missouri is the #1 lead-producing state in the United States.
- Fact: 24 percent of Missouri housing was built before 1950, when high lead-content paint was widely used.
- Fact: Approximately 80 percent of Missouri housing was built before 1978 and may contain some lead-based paint.
- Fact: An estimated four percent of Missouri children tested less than six years of age are known to have elevated blood lead levels ( = 10 ug/dl).
- Fact: It is well known that lead poisoning adversely effects young children.
Lead's Effects
It is important to know that even exposure to low levels of lead can severely harm children.
In children, lead can cause:
- Nervous system and kidney damage.
- Learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, and decreased intelligence.
- Speech, language, and behavior problems.
- Poor muscle coordination.
- Decreased muscle and bone growth.
- Hearing damage.
While low-lead exposure is most common, exposure to high levels of lead can have devastating effects on children, including seizures, unconsciousness, and, in some cases, death. Although children are especially susceptible to lead exposure, lead can be dangerous for adults too.
In adults, lead can cause:
- Increased chance of illness during pregnancy.
- Harm to a fetus, including brain damage or death.
- Fertility problems (in men and women).
- High blood pressure.
- Digestive problems.
- Nerve disorders.
- Memory and concentration problems.
- Muscle and joint pain
Polk County Health Center Nursing Staff does offer lead screenings to children under 6 years old at the parent's request. To make an appointment please call 417-326-7250.
For more information on lead posioning prevent go to: DHSS Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention website
|
|
