Meyer Pamela A, McGeehin Michael A, Falk Henry
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2003 Aug;206(4-5):363-9. doi: 10.1078/1438-4639-00232.
Childhood lead poisoning is an important, preventable environmental disease affecting millions of children around the world. The effects of lead are well known and range from delayed and adversely affected neurodevelopment to severe health outcomes including seizures, coma, and death. This article reviews the childhood effects of lead poisoning, the approach being taken to the problem in the United States, and the obstacles faced by developing nations in dealing with lead exposure. The United States has attacked the childhood lead poisoning problem by attempting to eliminate sources of exposure, including gasoline, solder in water pipes and cans, and industrial emissions. These actions have resulted in a dramatic reduction in the number of children with elevated blood lead levels in the United States over the last two decades. However, many developing countries are just beginning to address the problem. Successful efforts will need to incorporate epidemiologic methods, source identification, enforced regulations, and a long-term government commitment to eliminating lead as a threat to the next generation of children.
儿童铅中毒是一种重要的、可预防的环境疾病,影响着全球数百万儿童。铅的危害众所周知,从神经发育延迟和受到不利影响到包括癫痫发作、昏迷和死亡在内的严重健康后果。本文回顾了儿童铅中毒的影响、美国针对该问题所采取的方法,以及发展中国家在应对铅暴露时面临的障碍。美国通过试图消除暴露源来解决儿童铅中毒问题,这些暴露源包括汽油、水管和罐头中的焊料以及工业排放物。在过去二十年里,这些行动使美国血铅水平升高的儿童数量大幅减少。然而,许多发展中国家才刚刚开始解决这个问题。成功的努力需要纳入流行病学方法、源头识别、强化监管以及政府为消除铅对下一代儿童的威胁而做出的长期承诺。