Our patient and family resources provide information and support for you and your family throughout your journey with Environmental Health and Lead Poisoning at Cincinnati Children's. We offer resources about lead exposure, mold exposure and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS – “Forever Chemical”) exposure.
There is no safe level for lead. 80% of lead poisoning cases in Ohio are exposed to through deteriorating house paint in homes built before 1978. The good news is that preventing lead exposure is possible.
Lead is a metal that is naturally found in the Earth’s crust. The toxicity of lead was first described by the ancient Greek physician Nicander over 2,000 years ago. Over the centuries, lead has been used in paint, plumbing, gasoline, ammunition, and in many industries. The CDC reports that over 500,000 children in the United States have lead levels above 5 micrograms/deciliter, the public health reference level. Research done at Cincinnati Children’s has shown that there is no safe level for lead, so the Environmental Health and Lead Clinic focuses on helping families detect and eliminate sources of lead in their environment.
Most children become lead poisoned through eating lead. Common sources include:
Lead Sources, Health Effects & Prevention
Ohio Department of HealthLead Poisoning Prevention for Children, Surveillance for Adults and Lead Abatement
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) American Academy of Pediatrics, Ohio ChapterMold exposure is common. Reducing humidity can help reduce mold in the home.
Due to nearly year-round high humidity, children in Cincinnati are often exposed to indoor and outdoor mold. We are exposed to mold through breathing in air contaminated with mold or by touching items that have mold growing on them.
Children exposed to mold can experience irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, or lungs and sometimes other symptoms. Mold can also increase the risk for upper respiratory infections or asthma. Mold only requires moisture and a source of food (paper, wood, items that contain carbon) to grow.
The Environmental Health and Lead Clinic has been involved with research regarding indoor mold and bacteria. We work closely with the Asthma Center and Allergy Clinics to develop treatment plans for children exposed to mold. We have helped families get connected with resources to investigate and eliminate excessive mold. Be careful, some of the chemicals used to get rid of mold, if not used properly, can cause problems too.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of over 7,000 chemicals that are used as non-stick coatings, aqueous firefighting foams, as well as many of other uses. These chemicals are very difficult to break down in the environment or in our bodies, so they are sometimes called “forever chemicals.”
Due to legacy pollution of the Ohio River, Cincinnati has been an important area for PFAS exposure.
Research done at the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s has highlighted the possible health concerns related to exposure to these chemicals.
The State of Ohio recently required testing of drinking water systems for PFAS.
The CDC's Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry continues to research the health effects of exposure to PFAS.
The Environmental Health and Lead Clinic can help families put these results into context and recommend steps to take to monitor for health problems.
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