The relationship between the level of lead absorption in children and the age, type, and condition of housing.

A group of 184 preschool-aged children with pretreatment blood lead concentrations (PbB) greater than or equal to 50 micrograms/dl, who received inpatient chelation therapy, were followed prospectively as outpatients for 12 months after discharge. Of these, 160 were followed for 24-30 months. Serial PbB data were analyzed according to the type of housing to which each child was discharged. Following therapy, PbB stabilized by 3 months. Thereafter, highly significant differences (P less than 0.001) existed between those living in or visiting old houses in which lead-in-paint hazards had been abated according to local ordinances (m PbB = 38.5 micrograms/dl) and those discharged to "lead-free" public housing (m PbB = 28.8 micrograms/dl) or to recently, totally gutted and renovated old housing (m PbB = 28.7 micrograms/dl). During the period of study (1978-1982), no downward trend in PbB within housing groups was found during the first 12 months of follow-up. Of the 152 children discharged to old housing, 75 had 127 recurrences of PbB greater than or equal to 50 micrograms/dl. This emphasizes the need for close and prolonged follow-up in all cases. These data indicate that substantially improved methods of detection, classification, and abatement of lead hazards must replace traditional methods if lead exposure for young children in old housing is to be reduced to an acceptable level.