Environmental Health and Lead Poisoning
Patient and Family Resources

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Environmental Health and Lead Poisoning Resources

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.

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Lead

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.

What Is Lead?

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.

What Causes Lead Poisoning?

Most children become lead poisoned through eating lead. Common sources include:

Deteriorating housing paint in homes built before 1978
Soil contaminated with lead through prior use of leaded gasoline
Drinking water from homes with lead service lines or lead-containing indoor plumbing
Consuming certain imported spices, seasonings or using some imported cultural powders
Parents who accidentally bring home lead from work (construction workers, industrial work, mechanics)

Who Is Affected by Lead Exposure?

Although both children and adults can be affected, children are more sensitive to lead because their bodies and brains are growing. Through normal play and oral behaviors, children put things in their mouths. Children absorb lead much more easily than adults because they are growing. That is why the State of Ohio requires lead testing for children who:

Live or visit homes in a high-risk zip code (with many houses built before 1978)
Are insured by Medicaid

Additional Lead Resources

City of Cincinnati Health Department

Lead Sources, Health Effects & Prevention

Ohio Department of Health

Lead Poisoning Prevention for Children, Surveillance for Adults and Lead Abatement

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention

American Academy of Pediatrics, Ohio Chapter

Lead Free Ohio Family Resources

Mold

Mold 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 Substance (PFAS – “Forever Chemical”) Exposure

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.