Childcare Providers Training: LEAD POISONING PREVENTION
Participants Inputs What s on your mind? What do you want to bring back to your work when you leave here today? What else??????
Objectives Explain Information Memorandums -2008 issued by the Office of Head Start Tell what lead is Define what lead poisoning is Identify pathways of lead poisoning Explain health affects, and symptoms of lead poisoning Identify sources of lead Specify ways to detect lead List what childcare providers and parents can to do to prevent lead poisoning Define what anemia is Identify causes of anemia List signs/symptoms of anemia Explain the relationship between lead poisoning and anemia State ways to prevent anemia
Office of Head Start Information Memorandum, 2008: Lead Screening Reiterates the importance of lead screenings (low-income & Medicaid-eligible children: 5 times more likely to have harmful blood lead levels than the general child population) Clarifies the requirements for lead screening for Head Start Children: all Medicaid-eligible children have to be tested for lead; if a child s medical provider does not perform a lead screening blood test, then the Head Start Program is required to assist the family in obtaining the screening from other community resources; if there are no other resources available, the Head Start Program has to find a licensed certified health professional perform the screening. Requires Head Start Program to ensure that the results of diagnostic and treatment procedures are shared with and understood by parents, and to work in partnership with parents to identify the resources needed to execute the follow-up plan.
What is Lead? A highly toxic metal that produces a range of serious health effects especially in children It exists in the natural and human environment
What is Lead Poisoning? A serious yet preventable medical condition caused by increased levels of metal lead in the blood that can cause damage to vital organs in the body. It is one of the most common pediatric health problems in the United States today
Pathways of Lead Poisoning Ingestion of lead or lead contaminated items/particles inhalation of lead fumes
Effects of Lead on Children Lead contains a neurotoxin that is harmful to fetuses and developing young children. Extremely high levels: seizures, coma, even death. Other adverse health effects:» Brain damage,» Learning or behavior problems ;» Lowering a certain degree of IQ;» Hearing loss;» Slow development;» Restlessness; and» Liver, bone marrow and kidney damage.
Symptoms Most children don t show any symptoms unless blood-lead levels become extremely high. However, some symptoms may include: -headaches -stomachaches -nausea -tiredness and irritability
Symptoms of Lead Poisoning (cont d)
How to Detect Lead Poisoning? The only way to detect lead poisoning is by performing a simple blood test
Sources of Lead Include..
Pre-1979 residential homes: damaged paint Lead-Based Paint
Soil surrounding homes may be contaminated from chipping or flaking exterior leadbased paint or auto exhaust from lead gasoline. Soil
Dust can be contaminated and spread throughout a home when walls or other painted surfaces are sanded, scraped, or damaged. Dust
Children s Toys
Family members who work in lead-related industries ( e.g., construction, painting, automotive, recycling industries) or are engaged in hobbies (fishing, shooting) that have lead can track the lead content into their homes. Jobs/Hobbies
Folk Medicines
Metallic Jewelry
Children s Art Items
Children s Clothing
Food and spices can be contaminated by lead during the manufacturing processes or wrappers that contain lead wrappers Food and Spices
Imported/Hand-Made Ceramic Wares
Lead-contaminated Drinkning Water Old pipes and faucets may contain lead.
Computer and TV Cables
Cosmetics
What can Childcare Providers do? 1. Classroom Exercise (for teaching staff) Examples: - Name 3 sources of lead - Describe 2 behaviors that help prevent lead poisoning - Name foods that can help reduce lead poisoning (calcium, iron, vitamin C) - Buster, dust, and chip (socks or paper bags
What can Childcare Providers do? 2. Home Advisory: Talking Points: - Why worried about lead? - Could lead be found in & around home? - How to find out if your child is lead poisoned? - How to prevent lead poisoning?
Simple Things That Parents Can Do At Home.
Proper maintenance of Homes Keep paint in good condition Talk with landlord about fixing damaged paint Hire certified-lead construction professional to maintain and repair homes Get Help from Mayor s Office of Housing
Practice healthy home habits, such as regular vacuuming carpets (using HEPA vacuum cleaner), and cleaning of floors or other surfaces regularly. Wipe soil off your shoes or change street shoes before entering the home Housekeeping
Personal Hygiene Have children wash their hands frequently, especially after playing, and before eating and sleeping. Keep children away from damaged paint and bare soil
Run Kitchen Sink Faucet
Use Lead-free Containers and Ceramic Wares
Nutrition Serve children foods with a high content of iron, calcium, and vitamin C. Adequate intake of these minimizes lead absorption in children s bodies.
Buy Only Lead-free Toys and Consume only lead-free Candies/Spices U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission: http://www.cpsc.gov Center for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/recalls/default www.leadinmexicancandy.com
What can Childcare Providers do? 3. In the facility:
Keep Paint in Good Condition
Keep Areas Clean and Dust Free
Take off Shoes Before Entering Centers
Provide Healthy and Nutritional Foods
Wash Children s Face and Hands Often
Use HEPA Vacuum for Cleaning Carpet
Identify Potential Lead Hazards
Use Safe and Proper Methods for Remodeling and Maintaining the Place
Hire Lead Certified Contractors
Have Lead Dust Clearance Inspection After Remodeling
Comply with Building Code when remodeling: Stop Prohibited Practices Meet Safe Performance Standards
Lead Educational Information Available for Parents
Anemia is defined as a pathologic deficiency in the amount of oxygencarrying hemoglobin in the red blood cells. Anemia
Causes of Anemia Blood Loss: excessive bleeding such as hemorrhages Iron deficiency: the bone marrow needs iron to make red blood cells Poor Nutrition: Vitamins and minerals are required to make red blood cells Chronic Illness: secondary to refractory anemia: inflammatory GI/GU diseases,malignancies(cancer), arthritis, kidney or liver failure, and acute and chronic infections.
Causes of Anemia (cont d) Cancer therapy: surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and/or immunotherapy Pregnancy: Water weight gain during pregnancy dilutes red blood cells. Infiltration(replacement) of bone marrow with cancer Hemolysis: Breakdown or destruction of red blood cells
Causes of Anemia (cont d) Decreased red cell production due to low levels of erythropoietin ( a hormone produced by the kidney {90%} and liver {10%} which promotes red blood cell production Alcoholism: Poor nutrition due to lack of vitamins and minerals.
Causes of Anemia (cont d)
Lead Poisoning and Anemia Lead intoxication can cause anemia Anemia decreases quantity or quality of red blood cells Iron deficiency leads to the quantity of hemoglobin produced
Signs of Anemia Black and tarry stools (sticky and foul smelling) Maroon or invisible visibly bloody stools Rapid heart rate Rapid Breathing Pale or cold skin Yellow skin called jaundice
Signs of Anemia (cont d) Low blood pressure Heart murmur Enlargement of the spleen
Symptoms of Anemia Fatigue Trouble breathing Chest pain Abdominal pain Weight loss Weakness Dizziness and passing out, especially upon standing.
Ways to Prevent Anemia
Eat Iron Rich Foods
Cook Using Cast Iron Cookware
Cow s milk does not contain iron: limit milk to no more than three cups a day Limit Cow Milk
Take Part in Moderate Exercise
Avoid Contact with Leadcontaminated Products
Children s Toy Recall Websites: U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission: http://www.cpsc.gov Center for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/recalls/default
Get a Sufficient Amount of Sleep/Rest
Control Other Health Problems