The new CDC and AAP lead poisoning prevention recommendations: consensus versus controversy.
A considerable body of evidence has surfaced over the past several decades indicating that low-level lead exposure has detrimental effects for young children. As neurocognitive deficits have increasingly been found to be associated with lead levels as low as 10 micrograms/dL, the CDC has progressively lowered the threshold lead level designated as elevated to the present level of 10 micrograms/dL. The CDC also has recommended universal screening of all children for lead. These recommendations have engendered much controversy. After independently reviewing the relevant literature, the AAP and the National Academy of Science concurred with the CDC's conclusions and recommendations. As additional prevalence information becomes available, a more targeted approach to screening based on local prevalence data eventually may replace universal screening. However, as long as lead is found everywhere in the environment, children will continue to develop lead poisoning and suffer from its adverse effects. The problem of lead poisoning can be summarized best by a quote from a report of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to Congress, "Lead is toxic wherever it is found, and it is found everywhere."
Schaffer
S J
SJ
Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine, New York.
Campbell
J R
JR
D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007854:Lead / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010372:Pediatrics; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011524:Protoporphyrins / Q000097:blood; D011640:Public Policy; D012307:Risk Factors; D012955:Societies, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
D011524:Protoporphyrins; D007854:Lead