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Lead paint is found in many older homes, and St. Louis has one of the highest rates of lead poisoning in children in the nation. That is why the School of Public Health is initiating a massive educational intervention study that will enroll 200 new mothers. The study is the first of its kind to be funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). St. Louis is one of only two cities in the United States to participate in this study.
Lead paint can chip and flake, eventually ending up as tiny dust particles. Children crawling on the floor can get dust on their hands just by playing. Most children at this age also have a lot of hand-to-mouth activity. It takes only a very small amount of lead to elevate the child's lead levels.
"If we can keep the child from being exposed to lead paint during the critical ages of 6 months and 6 years old, then we think we can drastically reduce the level of lead poisoning," said Dr. R. Gregory Evans, associate professor of community health and director of the division of environmental and occupational health at the School of Public Health.
Lead poisoning primarily affects the cognitive ability of a child. It leads to a number of problems and disorders, including lower IQ scores, behavioral problems at home and school, learning difficulties, stunted growth and hearing impairments. Recent studies suggest it also may contribute to violent behavior.
School of Public Health researchers will do a complete assessment of each participating family's home to find lead. They will measure the dust particles for lead and pinpoint each trouble spot in the house. Then they will back that up with a personalized newsletter to each family, reminding them to dust frequently and to keep toddlers from painted surfaces. And every three months, a health educator will visit to reinforce the educational messages.
But keeping the home clean will be the responsibility of the parents.
"We think if the parents are educated, they will take the responsibility to clean up the house and keep it as free from lead as possible," said Kwesi Dugbatey, M.D., the project director. "In most cases, it is primarily an education issue."
The four-year study will cost about $1.1 million. This is the first time the CDC has funded a study based on primary prevention, dealing with the child before being lead poisoned. All previous studies dealt with children after the lead poisoning occurred and focused on bringing lead levels down.
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