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HEALTH EFFECTS IN CHILDREN AND
FETUSES FROM LEAD EXPOSURE
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SYMPTOMS
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BLOOD LEAD LEVEL
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Premature birth, low birth-weight, learning & development deficits
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10-15 mcg/dl
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Lower IQ's
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25
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Slower reflexes
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30
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Decreased red blood cells
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40
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Nerve problems
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70
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Anemia
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70
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Colic
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70
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Kidney and stomach problems
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90
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Brain problems
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100
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Source: Texas Department of Health,
Facts About Lead ( n.d.).
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Note: Health effects begin at about these levels, but not all children experience
them.
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Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, is responsible for an
estimated 10 percent of lung cancer deaths. This colorless, odorless gas occurs everywhere at low levels, but it becomes a concern when
it is trapped in buildings with little ventilation. Radon gas may enter homes built on soils or rocks containing high levels of uranium, which
is the most common source of the gas, or through cracks or other openings in basements or ground floors. Studies by the EPA indicate
that as many as 10 percent of U.S. homes may have elevated radon levels.* A 1992 study by the Texas Department of Health monitored
indoor air for radon in about 2,700 homes across Texas. The department found four areas with a high potential for radon: the West Texas Panhandle region, the Big Bend area, the Llano Uplift
area, and inland from the Coastal Bend in South Texas.*
Microorganisms -- bacteria, viruses, and fungi -- can cause serious
illnesses such as Legionnaire's disease, asthma, influenza, and other infectious diseases.* These microorganisms can grow in humid
buildings, as well as in bedding or the litter of household pets, and without proper ventilation can easily infect occupants. More subtle
health effects, commonly known as "sick building syndrome," include headaches; irritation of eyes, nose, and respiratory tract; loss of
memory; fatigue; and drowsiness. An EPA survey of office workers across the nation found that 19 percent of respondents sometimes
had difficulty performing work because of poor indoor air quality.*
Moldy building have been a huge issue in Texas. Many of the public schools built in the 1960s with flat roofs today are
having to be replaced because of mold and other microorganisms which can impact children's health. In 2001, for
example, Austin voters approved millions of dollars in bonds to help relocate school children in several Austin schools.
In addition, many older homes also have mold problems, and insurance companies are forcing home owners to pay
more for specialized "mold " coverage because of the growing issue. In 2003, the Texas Legislature passed HB 329,
which makes the Texas Department of Health to develop rules to license mold assessors and remediators and develop
standards for the growing profession. The rationale was to make sure those doing the work are doing it honestly and correctly.*
Indoor exposure to pesticides, asbestos, and lead all affect human health, particularly the health of young children. The
practice of sanding or open-flame burning of lead-based paints, which were in common use before 1978, emit
compounds that can impair mental and physical development in both fetuses and young children. Using 1990 census
data, the EPA determined that 3.5 million homes in Texas contain some lead-based paint. Based on these figures, the
EPA estimates that 1,949,696 children six years old or under had the potential to be exposed to lead poisoning.*
Pesticides in the home or office can irritate eyes, nose, and throat and may damage the central nervous system or may
even lead to an increased risk of cancer. According to an EPA survey, nine out of ten U.S. households have used pesticides.* Chlordane, dieldrin, and other chemicals used to kill termites have been banned or their indoor use
severely restricted in part because they remain active for such long periods. A particular concern is that indoor
pesticide application may be related to incidences of cancer in children. A 1995 study in the Denver area examined 252
children diagnosed with cancer and compared them with a similar number of control subjects. The study found some
evidence that yard treatments and pest strips containing insecticides might be associated with specific kinds of cancer.*
Several types of asbestos products, made from a mineral fiber used as an insulator and fire-retardant, have been
banned by the EPA because they can cause chest and lung cancer, as well as a condition known as asbestosis, an irreversible lung scarring that can be fatal.* Elevated concentrations of asbestos can occur indoors when
asbestos-containing materials are disturbed by remodeling or demolition activities.
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