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Some populations of children are heavily
exposed to lead while others are not. A recent ADHS study in central Phoenix
showed a 10% rate of lead poisoning (>10 µg/dL) among the
one-and two-year-olds. This is significantly higher than the national rate
of 5.9% for 1- 2 year-olds. Other studies have shown a low prevalence of
lead poisoning in selected populations. The ADHS lead poisoning surveillance
registry receives 300 to 500 reports of childhood lead poisoning cases
per year. Estimates suggest that only 4% of all at-risk children are being
screened statewide. Most screening is through AHCCCS health care providers.
Lead-based paint in homes is the most important
source of exposure, according to the ADHS registry and national data. The
older the house, the more likely it is to contain lead-based paint. In
Arizona, approximately 64% of all the homes were built before 1978, when
lead-based paint was banned. Almost 7% of the housing was built prior to
1950, when the concentration of lead in the paint was higher. Some neighborhoods
have more than 75% pre-1950 homes and, therefore, children in these areas
are at greater risk for lead poisoning.
Lead-containing folk remedies and imported
pottery are common sources in Arizona. These lead sources are implicated
in about half of the lead poisoning case investigations. Some members
of the Hispanic community use "azarcon," an orange lead oxide powder, or
"greta," a yellow lead oxide powder, for empacho, or digestive ailments.
Clay pottery made in Mexico usually contains high amounts of lead in the
glaze and paint. The pottery is used for cooking and storing beverages,
and is frequently sold in retail stores in Arizona and in Mexico. Both
pottery and folk remedies have been implicated in cases involving blood
lead levels as high as 60 µg/dL.
Minority and low socioeconomic status are
risk factors for lead poisoning. Three quarters of the reported lead poisoning
cases in Arizona occur in Hispanic children. Three quarters of the cases
are on AHCCCS.
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