Work remains in fight against lead poisoning
Childhood lead exposure is preventable, costly and has lifelong health consequences for affected children.
Lead is toxic to the developing brain, affecting cognition, learning and behavior.
It can lead to lower IQ, lower academic achievement, increased hyperactivity, emotional problems and future delinquent behavior.
There is no safe or acceptable level of lead in the blood, though a public health action level of 5mcg/ dl is used to define “elevated blood lead levels” in children.
Three in 100 children tested in Ohio have elevated blood lead levels, according to the Environmental Working Group study, Lead Astray in Ohio.
Moreover, the risk for lead exposure is not equitably distributed: In some of our cities, the prevalence of lead exposure is much higher. In 2019 alone, 3,533 children had elevated blood lead levels in our state. By far the leading source of exposure is dust and chips from lead paint in homes built before 1978.
We know that efforts to prevent lead exposure in children have an enormous return on investment — both in terms of improved child health and economic benefits.
According to the Ohio Lead Free Kids Coalition Action Plan for Lead-free Children, for every dollar spent toward reducing lead hazards, at least $17 would be returned in health benefits, higher lifetime earnings and productivity, increased tax revenues, lower special education costs and reduced criminal activity.
The most important treatment for lead poisoning is to prevent ongoing exposure, and the goal should be to prevent lead exposure from occurring at all.
The good news is our governor and General Assembly have recognized the importance of preventative tactics recommended by the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics and continue to invest in programs that address lead poisoning prevention.
The 2022-23 Ohio state budget signed by Gov. Mike Dewine preserved or expanded funding for many of the lead poisoning prevention initiatives prioritized by the Ohio Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics, which represents over 2,900 pediatricians in Ohio. They include:
h A Lead Abatement Fund to create a foundation for a stable, dedicated and flexible resource to advance primary prevention of lead poisoning was increased to $6.5 million each fiscal year. This includes new funding for a Lead Safe Housing Fund, which will provide funding to up to nine Ohio communities to advance primary prevention strategies.
h The Lead Safe Home Fund pilot to sustain public-private investment in removing lead hazards from Cleveland properties was preserved at $1 million each fiscal year, and the Toledo program was increased to $500,000 each fiscal year.
h The SCHIP Lead Program for high-risk children to remove lead hazards in homes built before 1978 with children under 6 or pregnant women was preserved at $5 million a year.
h H2ohio funding to OEPA for Clean Water to replace lead service lines and support water affordability measures received increased funding of $10 million each fiscal year for a total of $56 million per year.
h Early intervention funding for lead poisoned children for supportive, home-based services for children under 3 with elevated blood lead levels was increased by $1.25 million each fiscal year to a total of $23.3 million per year.
Ohio has made progress, and we can't afford to let up.
We applaud the work of Ohio's leadership and encourage continued action and investment toward the goal of a lead-free future for all of Ohio's children, which is essential to a brighter, healthier, more equitable and economically vibrant future for our state.
Dr. Aparna Bole is the medical director of the Ohio chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Lead Prevention Program and a pediatrician with Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital.