Lead Investigation

1
Lead Investigation

• Vanessa Corea
• Samantha Detres
• Junixer Diaz
• Period 5

2
Problem Statement

• How are people exposed to lead and how does it
  affect people?
• How is the Hernandez family contaminated and why?

3
Hypothesis

• If people are exposed to lead through
  condemnation of soil or through lead used as a
  metal then it can cause serious harmful illnesses
  may occur to humans through high quantities of
  lead.
• The Hernandez Family are contaminated because
  they have Old Cuban tile floors, they have
  furniture from South America,Glazed ceramic
  cookware, and the house is always air-conditioned
  and windows are barely opened.Finally, the house
  has old metal blinds in some areas that appear to
  be deteriorating from age.

4
Lead Information

• Lead is a highly toxic metal that produces a
  range of adverse health effects, particularly in
  young children.
• Different types of exposures of lead through
  deteriorating paint and dust, air, drinking
  water, food, and contaminated soil.
• two-thirds of homes built before 1940, and
  one-half of homes built from 1940 to 1960 contain
  lead-based paint.
• Most paint made after 1978 contains no
  intentionally added lead, since it was banned
  from use on the interior and exterior of homes.

5
Symptoms caused by Lead

• Health effect
• brain damage
• affect a childs growth
• damage kidneys
• impair hearing
• cause vomiting
• headaches
• appetite loss
• cause learning and behavioral problems.
• Exposure to lead is estimated by measuring levels
  in the blood 10 microgram per deciliter.

• In adults lead
• increase blood pressure
• digestive problems
• kidney damage
• nerve disorders
• sleep problems
• muscle and joint pain
• mood changes.

6

• Lead is absorbed into the body through the
  lungs or the mouth and is a cumulative poison,
  being stored in the bone tissue.
• A house painter affected by chronic lead
  poisoning. Wasted muscles and wrist drop are
  tell-tale symptoms of lead poisoning.

7
The Hernandez family

• Home is located on street with large
  Mediterranean-style houses.
• They moved to Miami from Argentina around one
  year ago.
• The mother works in an art dealer and the father
  works for a bank, parents work and travel.
• There little boy was screen for lead exposure
  with a high blood lead level of 24.5
  micrograms/deciliter.

8
Data

• Poverty is a major risk factor for lead
  poisoning.
• Miami has many residential areas that are old
  and in poor repair. Tile floors are in old
  condition are believed to be a new risk factor
  due to their lead glaze.
• large number of immigrants bring to Miami
  practices from areas with more common uses of
  lead for cottage industries and medicinal
  purposes.

9
Conclusion

• How Can I Reduce Lead Exposure?
• If you have a house from the 1940s prevent
  removing the paint off the walls.
• Keep area clean and dust free
• Wash toys, stuffed animals, and bedding
  regularly.
• Prevent ingestion of sand, dirt, or paint chips.
  
• Grass areas are safe for children at play.
• Make sure children remove and wipe their shoes
  and wash their hands whenever they come inside
  after playing outdoors
• test solder or plumbing fixtures in your home and
  faucet water.
• Do not store food or drink in containers made
  from crystal.

• What can be done?
• The only way to diagnose lead poisoning is with a
  blood test.
• A blood lead concentration of 15-19 mg/dl merits
  a home visit, inspection, and educational
  intervention. Someone with a blood lead
  concentration of 20-44 mg/dl must undergo
  environmental remediation, and medical
  evaluation. A measurement of 45-69 mg/dl requires
  the patient to undergo chelation treatment. A
  blood lead concentration of 70 mg/dl
  constitutes a medical emergency .
• Medical treatment is only given in severe cases
  of lead poisoning.