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<br /> 50 <br /> <br />Lead Hazards <br /> Approximately 250,000 children in America aged 1-5 years have blood lead levels greater than 10 <br />micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood (ug/dL). This is the level at which the CDC recommends <br />public health actions be initiated. <br /> <br /> Lead exposure is especially harmful to children under six years of age, because of their constant <br />hand-to-mouth activity, where it affects their developing brains and nervous systems77. <br /> <br /> Ingesting or swallowing lead-contaminated materials is the primary way that children get lead <br />poisoning at home. <br /> <br /> Lead exposure of women of child-bearing age can also adversely affect developing fetuses during <br />pregnancy. <br /> <br />Children exposed to lead can have stunted growth, mental problems including low IQ or learning <br />problems, and severe lead poisoning which can cause seizures, coma, and even death. Typical sources of <br />lead exposure may include: painted or plastic toys, lead-based paint in older homes which can chip or <br />form a harmful dust, soil, vinyl and plastic products, imported candy, lead-glazed pottery, fishing tackle, <br />and drinking water pipes with lead-based solder. <br /> <br />The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) tracks the number and rate of children in the <br />target populations who are required to be screened for blood lead levels. Table 15 shows the number of <br />children under age 6 with blood lead levels greater than 10ug/dL for Orange County compared to NC. <br /> <br />Table 15: Number of Children under the Age of 6 with a Blood Lead > 10 ug/dL <br /> <br />Year <br />NC Orange County <br />Tested <br />> 10 * <br />Confirmed <br />> 10 ** <br />Tested <br />> 10 <br />Confirmed <br />> 10 <br />2007 1,074 271 12 5 <br />2008 932 216 11 2 <br />2009 583 181 5 1 <br />2010 519 170 2 0 <br />2011 461 127 1 1