Lead poisoning of young children has been deemed the number one environmental threat to America's young children. It is estimated that 890,000 children have levels high enough to effect their ability to learn$\sp{62}.$ While levels have decreased dramatically over the past 15 years, African-American children living in poverty in inner cities continue to be at particular risk for lead poisoning This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of lead poisoning in high risk children residing in the City of New Orleans from 1993-1995 and to examine the relationship between elevated blood lead levels and sociodemographic and environmental characteristics. A model, at the census tract level, identifying the demographic and environmental factors associated with elevated blood lead levels was developed and used to evaluate whether the variables recommended for use by CDC effectively predict elevated blood lead levels The study confirmed that lead toxicity of poor, minority children in New Orleans is a severe problem. Overall, 38% of children had elevated levels ($\ge$10 $\mu$g/dL), 20% had levels $\ge$15 $\mu$g/dL. Eleven percent had levels $\ge$20 $\mu$g/dL, twice what is considered safe by the CDC. Furthermore, the study showed that not all poor, minority children are affected equally. Analysis by geographical unit, both clinic and census tract, show areas of greatest risk; in some parts of the city more than half of the children screened had elevated levels The geometric mean blood lead level was 7.85 $\mu$g/dL and levels remained constant over the three year study period. This is substantially higher than levels reported from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey, a cross-sectional survey of the U.S. population Distinct patterns by age were noted. Children three to five years had significantly (p $\le$.01) higher geometric mean blood lead levels than their younger counterparts and levels continued to stay elevated with increasing age. Surprisingly, children five to six years had the highest geometric mean levels Percent of houses vacant, median soil lead level and median income were consistent predictors of elevated lead levels. Percent of houses built prior to 1950 was not a significant predictor is any of the models run. This has important policy implications. CDC guidelines place heavy emphasis on the use of this variable to estimate lead-exposure risk in a geographic area$\sp{62}.$ However, in cities like New Orleans with a large stock of old houses and a cross-section of people living in them, age of housing alone is not a good surrogate for condition of housing. The variable percent of houses vacant may more accurately reflect the condition of the housing thereby being better able to estimate lead-exposure risk The results of this study may be helpful to other communities responding to CDC recommendations to tailor screening guidelines to local concerns / acase@tulane.edu
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:TULANE/oai:http://digitallibrary.tulane.edu/:tulane_25068 |
| Date | January 1998 |
| Contributors | Rabito, Felicia A (Author), Johnson, Eric S (Thesis advisor) |
| Publisher | Tulane University |
| Source Sets | Tulane University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | Access requires a license to the Dissertations and Theses (ProQuest) database., Copyright is in accordance with U.S. Copyright law |
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