Media Release
FOR: Immediate Release
DATE: March 22, 2001
CONTACT: Magaly Angeloni 401-222-4602
CDC Releases Information on Environmental Toxins
RI Health Department Finds that the Average Kid in RI
Has Higher Levels of Lead Than 90% of US Kids
Yesterday, the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the first National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, an important new research tool that will provide better information on levels of exposure to environmental chemical. Among its findings, the CDC highlighted the success of childhood lead poisoning prevention efforts nationwide. Average blood lead levels nationwide for children aged 1 to 5 years declined by more than 25% since the last survey conducted in 1991-1994 (from an average of 2.7 µg/dl to 2.0 µg/dl*).
"These national data obscure the magnitude of the lead poisoning problem here in Rhode Island," said Dr. Patricia A. Nolan, Director of the RI Department of Health (HEALTH). "Last year over 9% of Rhode Island children under 6 years old were lead poisoned, with blood lead levels over 10 µg/dl. In 20 Rhode Island low-income census tracts, more than one of five children tested positive for lead poisoning. Although the situation is improving, even one lead poisoned child is too many."
The CDC reported the distribution of blood lead levels for children across the country. The 50th and 90th percentile blood lead levels for the CDC study were 1.9 and 4.7 µg/dl, respectively. By comparison, Rhode Island’s average, which includes children of a slightly larger age range, was 5 µg/dl. In other words, 90% of children in the United States have blood lead levels that are lower than what we consider average here in Rhode Island.
According to Dr. Nolan, "We successfully reduced the prevalence of lead poisoning in Rhode Island. This report reminds us how far we still have to go. Our average blood lead levels are 2.5-times higher than the rest of the nation. There is much more work to be done to ensure safe affordable housing for pregnant women and children in Rhode Island.
For the CDC report go to: www.cdc.gov/nceh/dls/report
For the RI Healthy People 2000 report, go to: http://www.health.ri.gov/hp2000.pdf
*µg/dl=microgram per deciliter of blood |
