Marinelle Payton, MD, PhD, MS, MPH, School of Public Health, College of Public Service, Jackson State University, Jackson Medical Mall -Thad Cochran Center, Jackson, MS 39213, 601-368-2052, mpayton@jsums.edu

Childhood lead poisoning is the most common preventable environmental disease affecting millions of children. The effects of lead poisoning are primarily from ingestion of lead from environmental exposure to paint chips, dust, soil, and drinking water. Over the last few decades, the public health community including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have made protecting children's health from environmental lead exposure a priority. Several regulations and programs have been implemented to reduce lead exposure from gasoline, industrial emissions, and solder in pipes and cans. In some states, these regulations have resulted in a lower number of children with elevated levels of lead. On the other hand, many states have not begun to actively address the problem. To characterize lead poisoning prevention in the Southeastern Corridor of the United States, this study addresses the regulations and legislation of childhood lead poisoning in Mississippi and neighboring states. Factors assessed include screening practices, control of exposure, prevalence data, enforced regulations, availability of environmental data and epidemiological methods, medical and environmental intervention, and lead-based paint abatement regulations.

Learning Objectives:

• Address lead poisoning regulations and legislation in the Southeastern Corridor.
• List major sources of lead exposure associated with this topic.
• Know baseline lead poisoning prevalence data in this region.

Keywords: Environmental Exposures, Regulations

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.