Lead poisoning has been identified in eight Salt Lake County children, with lead-based paint implicated in six of the cases, says the executive director of the Salt Lake City-County Health Department.
"Locally, we have a lead-poisoning problem that is very mild compared to many other places in the United States," said the director, Dr. Thomas Schlenker. "Still, there are a handful of young children who are poisoned in Salt Lake every year and need not be."Seven of the children were identified through blood lead screening performed at the department's clinics, while one was identified by a private pediatrician responding to the request of a concerned mother. All eight live in the central Salt Lake area bordered by Redwood Road, 2100 South, Foothill Boulevard and the Capitol Hill area.
For two of the children, no cause was found, as lead was not identified in their homes. However, other causes of exposure are possible, including lead-based paint at other facilities or even heavy car exhaust.
High lead blood levels in young children are associated with decreased intelligence, learning disabilities and behavioral disorders that can become apparent only after they start school. Early detection allows families to remove lead hazards to prevent further exposure and, experts hope, prevent lasting damage.
Because of the blood screening, several hundred local physicians were told recently that all children six to 36 months old living in the area should receive a blood lead test near their first birthday. Also, doctors should ask parents of children outside the target area a brief series of questions to assess for risk of lead poisoning, and to give blood lead tests when appropriate.
The department is encouraging parents to take their children to private physicians. Those who don't have doctors can contact the department.