Shapiro CanterPreventiveMeas ures

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Lead Prevention Measures in the Home Lois J. Shapiro-Canter, J.D. President and CEO, Saratoga Foundation for Women WorldWide, Inc. April 10, 2006

INTRODUCTION: 

INTRODUCTION Lead in food and drink lowest in history 90% lower than 12 years ago Due to U.S. food industry’s voluntary elimination of lead solder to seal seams of food cans and removal of lead from gasoline Thousands of children and adults accidentally poisoned by lead Tragedy is that all lead poisoning is preventable

HOME-BASED LEAD EXPOSURE: 

HOME-BASED LEAD EXPOSURE Prior to 1950, lead-based paint used on inside/outside of homes 1977 federal regulations eliminated lead from paint for general use Still buildings with lead paint Old paint flakes off/lead dust on babies’ hands/toys

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Lead paint banned in NYS since 1978 Most older homes have some old layers of lead paint Lead paint on sliding parts of windows ground into dust when opened/closed Any lead-painted surface that gets worn away (door edges, jambs, cabinet door edges) source of lead house dust

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ROUTES OF EXPOSURE: Babies/toddlers put toys/hands in mouth Inhalation of dust raised by dry sweeping/dusting Ingestion of dust settled on food left uncovered Chewing on painted windowsills/doors/chairs, rails, etc.

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LEAD PIPES Lead leaches from plumbing pipes/fixtures that contain lead Longer lead stands in contact with lead-contaminating plumbing materials, higher lead level in water Water standing in pipes overnight most contaminated

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Flush 1-2 minutes/use only cold water Never use hot water/hot dissolves much more lead out of plumbing materials than cold water, even after pipes flushed Leaching rates accelerate when water is acidic or hot

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Lead in water cannot be seen, tasted, smelled Boiling water will not get rid of lead Sources of lead contamination include brass fixtures, older drinking water coolers, older coffee urns Yale-90% of lead blood levels in children linked to sources other than drinking water

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HOW DO WE CLEAN UP LEAD FROM OUR HOME? Remove all personal belongings:furniture, drapes, carpets, cooking/eating utensils Cover floors, counters, cabinets/radiators with plastic

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Close off work area with 6 mil plastic sheeting to protect heating/ventilation systems Provide workers with protective equipment, overalls, shoe/hair coverings, gloves, goggles/respirators Keep residents, especially children/pregnant women out of the home

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Before repainting, clean the area thoroughly by vacuuming with high efficiency air filter (HEPA filter), followed by a thorough wet-washing followed by a repeat HEPA filter vacuuming Follow EPA guidelines on lead paint repairs

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RENTAL HOMES Ask your landlord whether paint has been tested Ask to see results or have it tested yourself

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FOOD FDA estimates 20% of all dietary lead comes from canned food (2/3 from lead solder in cans) Acidic foods leach lead from solder in the can seams Number of food cans lead soldered has declined, does not apply to imported foods

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Contaminated flour and food coloring from Middle East Candy packaged in jars from South America

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CANDY Mexican candies-chili powder/tamarind Lead gets in candy during drying, storing, grinding ingredients improperly Lead in candy wrappers-ink contains lead which leaches into candy

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FOOD BAGS Bright red and yellow paint on bread bags

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OTHER SOURCES Colored bread bags may contain lead pigments which leach into food when turned inside out Natural calcium supplements derived from animal bone may contain lead if animal exposed Waterfowl may ingest leaded shot, consumed by unsuspecting hunters/families

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Wine and homemade alcohol distilled/stored in leaded containers Smoking cigarettes/breathing second hand smoke increases exposure since tobacco smoke contains lead

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CERAMIC TABLEWARE Lead used in glazes for ceramic dishware If not fired to a high enough temp for a long time, lead released from glaze into food Acidic foods: tomato juice, fruit juice, coffee, wine, vinegar in poorly fired ceramics can leach lead

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FDA toxicologists agree pregnant women should not drink these beverages from lead-glazed ceramic cups Responsible manufacturers of ceramic ware take all precautions, however, even with properly glazed pieces, low amounts of lead may migrate into food

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FDA scientists found 80% of adult exposure to lead from food in ceramics comes from frequent use of mugs/hot beverages Dishwashing lead glazed pottery, especially imported could result in chipping/wearing off protective glaze and expose people to lead-containing pigments

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USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN PURCHASING IMPORTED CERAMICS: Japan/UK have good quality procedures similar to U.S. FDA recommends ceramics purchased in Mexico, China, Hong Kong, India be tested for lead release by commercial laboratory/use for decorative purpose

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PRECAUTIONS: Never store food in pewter, lead crystal or glazed pottery containers Never store acidic foods in glazed pottery (tomato juice, fruit juice, wine, coffee) Dishes/pottery made in U.S. since 1971 generally safe

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Lead-free glaze should be used on ceramics Antiques, collectibles, pieces made by amateurs for gifts or craft fairs may contain lead that could leach into food To obtain test kits for ceramic ware contact FDA office listed in blue pages phone book

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JEWELRY HISTORY 1994 Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalled lead-tainted jewelry from vending machines nationwide CPSC recalled 2.8 million pieces of children’s jewelry March 3, 2005 sold under name “Charming Thoughts” nationwide in Michael’s Arts & Crafts Stores and Hancock Stores

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Metal charms sold as decorations for greeting cards, scrapbooks/gifts attached to bracelets/necklaces Michaels-over 800 stores/largest specialty retailer arts/crafts materials

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CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (www.cehca.org) Tested hundreds of pieces of costume jewelry Found Disneyland had 275 times legal limit lead in paint (labeled lead-free) 2004 CEH filed lawsuits under California’s Proposition 65

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Proposition 65 (CA) allows citizen enforcement when companies fail to warn consumers their products expose people to illegal levels of toxic chemicals Under Prop 65, CEH sued Jordache, Macy’s, J.C. Penny, Kmart, Nordstroms, Sears, Target, Walmart and others for selling lead-contaminated jewelry

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Most of the jewelry is imported costume jewelry marketed to children/women of child-bearing age Jewelry found with high levels of lead include: 1- necklaces made with plastic cords; 2- metal jewelry made with tin

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3-Poly vinyl chloride (PVC) plastic in the cords leaches lead and low grade tin in pendants/clasps is lead-contaminated 4- Brand Names include: Orion (Burlington); Claire’s Forever 21, Worthington (J.C. Penny), Juststyle (Kmart), Lane Bryant, Nairi (Nordstrom), Eitienne V (Nordstrom), Aprostrophe (Sears), Mainframe (Sears) and Zhiliration (Target)

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According to CEH, CPSC does not take a proactive approach to jewelry/awaits until child is harmed by lead exposure AND fails to establish requirements for the industry to test children’s jewelry Parents must be proactive and buy only lead-free jewelry and/or have it tested

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PROACTIVE MEASURES: Examine all jewelry for children/young adults Ask retailer if lead-free Buy lead free or have it tested if in doubt (home lead test kit www.leadcheck.com) Avoid jewelry with plastic cords, dull metallic components or fake white pearls-often test lead-positive If not sure, don’t buy it!!

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TOYS Lead toy soldiers Old painted toys/furniture Soft vinyl lunch boxes contain dangerous amounts of lead (Toys “R” Us, Warners Brothers, DC Comics, Time Warner, Walgreens (Superman, Tweety Bird, Powerpuff Girls, Hamtaro) www.cecha.org/lunchboxes.htm See list recalled items

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MEDICINAL/PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS Do not use these Cosmetics: Traditional Kohl (surma, kajal) eye cosmetic-Middle Eastern, Asian and North African societies Khojati -- India Unlabelled kohl –Morocco Hashmi Kohl Aswad-Pakistan

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SKIN DEEP PRODUCTS WITH LEAD ACETATE Grecian Formula 16 Liquid with Conditioner (Hair coloring and bleach) Inman Oil Free Cleanser (facial cleanser) EBL GreyBan Restores Natural Hair Color (hair color and cleaning)

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FOREIGN DIGESTIVE REMEDIES Unapproved foreign digestive remedies containing lead include: Alarcon, Azarcon, Coral, Greta, Liga, Maria Luisa, Rueda Greta is 99% lead oxide

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BABY POWDERS/CREAMS CEH filed lawsuits in 1999 against large manufacturers of baby powders/creams high in lead Defendants-Block Drug, Bristol-Meyers Squibb Co., Clairol, Inc., Chattem, Inc., Diamond Products Co., Insight Pharmaceuticals Corp, Johnson & Johnson, Personal Care Products, Pfizer, Playtex, Schering-Plough Healthcare Products, Warner-Lambert

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CEH CASE SETTLED IN 2003: 1- Countered assertions by manufacturers lead not absorbed by the skin 2- Forced companies to implement health-protective standards/ drastically reduce dangerous lead exposures for children 3- Reduction of zinc oxide allowed in product to no more than 10% by weight/reduction for lead in zinc oxide to no more than 10 ppm

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ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS Lead estimated to be in 90% of electronic components produced worldwide, primarily in form of solder China is considering banning lead in consumer products Many Japanese companies have voluntarily eliminated lead from their products

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UNUSUAL SOURCES OF LEAD EXPOSURE: Folk medicines Calcium supplements from bonemeal Contaminated flour and food coloring from Middle East Candy packaged in jars from South America

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Pottery/cookware from around the world Lead-based artist paints Lead crystal baby bottles Fishing weights Stained glass Candles with leaded wicks Vinyl mini and vertical blinds

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Car keys Bullets Curtain weights Imported crayons Pewter Buttons Products built pre-1978: toys, playground equipment, furniture

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INDUSTRIAL SOURCES: Smelters Battery production/recycling Some paint pigment production facilities Solid waste sites Small garages work with old car batteries Municipal incinerators

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Lead is also present in incinerator ash Municipal waste-to-energy incinerators and hazardous waste incinerators release lead into atmosphere (occurs when air pollution control devices not maintained/operated improperly)

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Community exposed to these emissions through ingestion or inhalation of lead-contaminated dust, soil, air Abandoned industrial sites (old mines or lead smelters) and hazardous waste sites (Superfund sites) continue to pose a potential health hazard

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OCCUPATIONAL LEAD EXPOSURES Workers in up to 100 industries, and indirectly their families, may have occupational exposure to lead Auto Repairers, Battery Manufacturers, Battery Recyclers, Bridge Construction/Maintenance Workers, Construction Workers, Firing Range Instructors, Gas Station Attendants, Glass Manufacturers, Lead Mining,

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Manufacturing Industry, Municipal waste Incineration Workers, People who work with Lead Solder, Plastic Manufacturers, Plumbers, Pipe Fitters, Police Officers, Pottery/Ceramic Industry Employees, Printers, Radiator Repair Mechanics, Rubber Product Manufacturers, Ship Builders, Smelting, Steel Welders/Cutters

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Major Exposure Pathway: Inhalation and ingestion of lead-bearing dust and fumes Occupational exposures result in secondary exposures for workers’ families- workers bring home lead-contaminated dust on skin, clothes, shoes

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Prevent secondary exposures by showering/changing clothing before coming home Children may be exposed if allowed to visit worksite Many “cottage industries” located in the home

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RECALLS Consumer Product Safety Commission (www.cpsc.gov or 800-638-2772) LEAD INFORMATION RESOURCES

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WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT AGAINST LEAD POISONING: Test Yourself Test Your Home Keep Your Home Clean Keep a Healthy Diet Test Your Water Educate Yourself

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FEDERAL LEGISLATION National Uniformity for Food Act would make all food labeling uniform (pushed by food industry) Passed House, facing opposition in US Senate Would preempt existing state consumer protection laws In NYS, would effect 7 laws, one that bans lead or mercury in quantities above state standards Contact your Senator to oppose this legislation as contrary to family health

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Bush Administration proposed $119 million for the Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control, down from $167 million in 2005 and $174 million in 2004 for Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control Bush proposal would eliminate grants targeted for cities with worst lead poisoning problems