Definition
- Myths & Facts
Background
- History
- Conditions
- Literature
Identification
Health
What to Do
- Get the Lead Out
Programs
- St. Louis
- East St. Louis
Data & Maps
|
|
Lead - Background: Conditions
The extent of the lead problem in St. Louis and East St. Louis can't be easily determined. Many of the people most at risk for exposure to lead hazards are those least likely to be tested for lead poisoning. Paint and soil testing is only performed as needed or required. This makes it almost impossible to identify the number of locations where dangerous levels of lead exist.
City of St. Louis
In 1999 almost 3,500 children age six and under that were tested in St. Louis had elevated blood lead levels.
In 1999, 28.8% of African-American children that were screened had elevated blood lead levels, compared to 16.5% of white children.
The three zip codes with the highest screened prevalence of lead poisoning were 63107, 63113, and 63118.
Close to 80% of the city's housing was constructed prior to 1950 and 90% prior to 1978. The older the home, the more likely it is to contain lead paint.
Less than 9% of Missouri's children under six years of age were tested for lead poisoning in 1997. Of those, 14% had blood levels indicating "lead poisoning" (greater than 10 ug/dl - micrograms per deciliter of blood).
Current estimates by the Missouri Department of Health indicate that between 24,000 and 62,000 of the 447,893 children under age six in Missouri could be lead poisoned
For more information and statistical data for the City of St. Louis go to the city's health department site at:
http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/health/lead1.html or call them at (314) 658-1140.
St. Clair County / East St. Louis
During calendar year 2000 there were 3,926 children under the age of six tested for lead poisoning in St. Clair County. Of those tested, 481 (12.3%) had blood lead levels above 10mcg/dL, which is the level considered by most health professionals as lead poisoned.
In 2000, 244,442 Illinois children were screened for lead poisoning. Of those tested, 23,063 (9.4%) had blood levels greater than10ug/dL. 3.4% had blood levels greater than 15ug/dL.
The City of East St. Louis relies heavily on the St. Clair County Health Department to address the many lead issues in the community. You can access the county health department web site by going to http://www.scchd.org/.
|
|
