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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Laurel A. Sharmer, PhD, MPH, CHES, Department of Community Health, State University of New York at Potsdam, Maxcy Hall #256, Potsdam, NY 13676, 315-267- 3136, sharmela@potsdam.edu, Kathlynn Northrup-Snyder, PhD, RN, CNS, Community Health Concepts, 1243 SE Jefferson, Dallas, OR 97338, and Wenyen Juan, PhD, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, US Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1034, Alexandria, VA 22302.

Most official childhood lead poisoning prevention recommendations, including those in Healthy People 2010, and those made by HUD and the CDC, focus on children living in poor neighborhoods in older houses. However, popular home decorating magazines and television programs promote antiques with damaged paint as attractive home décor, and such antiques may be exposing children in middle-class homes to lead. The Consumer Product Safety Commission, The US Food and Drug Administration and their state counterparts regulate products for sale to ensure that they do not present a hazard such as lead to the consumer, but these agencies do not regulate used items sold in antiques stores or junk shops. This research was conducted to determine if lead-hazardous articles are being sold in such establishments in the United States. The researchers visited thirteen antiques stores and junk shops throughout the United States in 2005, and were able to purchase lead-hazardous items in every one. Twenty-eight such items were purchased and an additional eight items such as old doors and furniture that tested positive for lead but were prohibitively expensive, were photographed but not purchased. Eleven (39%) of the items purchased were toys or jewelry. Twelve (42%) of the items were intended for food service or preparation. The total cost of the 28 items purchased was $495.00. The total cost of the eight additional items that were positive for lead but were not purchased was $2,255.00. A quantitative analysis of the lead content in each purchased item will be presented.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to

• Name an unexpected pathway of lead exposure in the home
• Describe how children can be exposed to lead from antiques
• List three solutions to the problem of lead from antiques in the home.

Keywords: Lead, Children's Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation