Recent Immigrants Working in Renovation and Construction Businesses and their Families are at Increased Risk of Lead Poisoning

Investigation of illegal deleading by renovation contractors found high numbers of Brazilian immigrants scraping lead paint and conducting demolition and construction work unaware of the dangers of lead poisoning posed by these activities. Short-term exposure was stopped by issuing cease work orders to contractors for violation of the Massachusetts Lead Law, but education for the laborers was difficult because of the language barrier and enforcement environment. Additionally, the risk to workers' children from lead dust taken home on clothing had to be addressed. The Boston Lead Case Management System was used to identify Brazilian children with elevated blood lead levels (EBLLs). A majority lived in Allston-Brighton – neighborhoods where Census 2000 and Health of Boston Report 2006 data indicated children under six were under-screened for EBLL. The Boston Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (BCLPPP) partnered with the Joseph Smith Community Health Center, the Brazilian Immigrant Center, and the Boston Public Commission Health Van to conduct targeted outreach and screening for children and adults. Occupational and environmental health and safety workshops for these workers were held at the Brazilian Immigrant Center in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Occupational Safety. Onsite screening, provided by BCLPPP, indicated that 11% of these adult workers had EBLLs above 40 µg/DL and 14% had EBLLs between 25-44µg/DL. Adult immigrants working in painting, demolition, and contracting industries are at high risk and should be routinely screened. This can serve as a model for other areas where under-served immigrant populations might be at high risk for lead exposure.