Sources of Lead and Steps to Reduce Lead Exposure in Homes, Child Care, and Early Learning Environments

Abstract

Childhood lead poisoning is one of the best understood and most preventable childhood diseases. Yet each year lead exposure is estimated to contribute to about 600,000 new cases of intellectual disabilities among children, according to the World Health Organization. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that children in at least 4 million households are being exposed to high levels of lead. Many parents and early childhood care providers are well aware of the detrimental effects of lead exposure, especially on young children. However, as Schlieber and Neuharth-Pritchett point out, its detection is not always a focus. This article helps to refocus our attention on this enemy of happy and healthy childhoods and draw attention to easy steps everyone can take to reduce exposure to lead not only in homes, but also in child care and early learning settings, and all of the other environments in which children grow up.