Introduction

L.e.a.d. conducted an internet search of Ontario health unit websites using the search terms: <childhood lead poisoning> <lead poisoning> <lead paint> and <lead in drinking water> to determine what information is being provided to Ontario residents on childhood lead poisoning. Our search revealed that only 17 out of 37 health units had any information on lead; only 7 of these sites provided directly accessible information; and only 2 health units appear to provide any proactive programming to address this problem. Information from this survey will be used to provide feedback to Ontario Health Units on ways they can improve their health promotion of this issue.

Results

Our survey found that only 7 (19%) of Ontario health unit sites had easily accessible information on lead poisoning using the search terms <childhood lead poisoning> <lead poisoning> <lead paint> and <lead in drinking water>. See Summary Of Report Here.

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Français

Lead is a serious developmental neurotoxin with the capacity to interrupt brain development and impair functioning. The United States recognizes pre-1950s housing sources as the number one contributor to childhood lead poisoning (AAP, 2005; CDC, 2005) and American agencies have been working aggressively for over two decades to eliminate this health problem. Canada, in sharp contrast, has been doing little to address this issue. Not much is known about the extent of childhood lead poisoning in Canada. Gaps in our understanding include a lack of recent childhood blood lead surveys and an absence of reliable data to determine the era of housing that poses the greatest risk (CEC, 2006; Tsekrekos & Buka, 2005; OPHA, 2004)

Lead poisoning causes subtle, yet serious, effects in children and exerts an enormous economic burden on society, costing billions of dollars in reduced IQ, lost earning potential, special education requirements, and criminal justice measures (Davies, 2005; Korfmacher, 2003; Muir & Zegarac, 2001). It is likely that Canadian children under the age of 6 years and living in older (pre-1960s) housing are being poisoned from exposure to household sources of lead through dust, paint, and soil. There is no mechanism in place to detect these children as surveillance programs in Canada exist exclusively in smelter communities. Canada, the provinces, and the Provincial Territorial ministries of health can begin to address this serious health issue by building upon the wealth of accumulated knowledge and expertise stemming from the U.S. experience.

Recommendations for action include:

1. Identification of the extent of the problem through a nationwide survey of Canadian dwellings to determine the era of homes that contain lead hazards;
2. The creation of a national task force to examine this issue in broader detail;
3. Development of protective legislation i.e. lead disclosure laws;
4. The promulgation of national health-based lead dust and soil lead standards for residential dwellings;
5. Public and professional education and outreach;
6. D evelopment of a mandatory certification program and training program for “lead-safe” practices for trades,
7. Identification and early intervention for children who are lead poisoned; and,
8. Funding of pilot studies in “high-risk” communities to develop best practice guidelines.

This proposal will do much to strengthen Canadian families by eliminating a serious childhood poison.