摘要：Lead poisoning in children has been associated with reduced intelligence, shortened memory, slowed reaction times, poor hand–eye coordination, and antisocial behavior. The cost to society includes not only medical treatment and special education but also higher high-school drop-out rates, which are associated with crime and low earning potential. THE MOST COMMON PATHWAY for childhood lead exposure is the chronic ingestion of household dust and soil from deteriorating low-value housing contaminated by lead-based paint. Housing at risk was built prior to 1950, when the industry voluntarily stopped producing lead-based paint. Children under 6 years of age retain a higher percentage of lead in their blood and soft tissue, where the lead exerts toxic effects. In addition, they are more likely to place lead dust–covered fingers and objects in their mouth and to have iron and calcium nutritional deficiencies, all of which enhance the absorption of lead. Open in a separate window How to lower children's exposure to lead is known, but how to get the caregivers to take action is still a subject of investigation. This demonstration project tested the impact of community-developed, community-based prevention–intervention strategies on citizens' knowledge and on hazard, exposure, and outcome surveillance of lead poisoning. 1
