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Please find below the more recent email that I intended to attach to the email I sent you all on 3rd March 2007 with the following note:
This is a groundbreaking recommendation (see extract below) that needs to be advocated for at every opportunity.
Can you write to your politicians to ask them to review current policy that allows workers to be subjected to a blood lead level of 35-50 ug/dL or more before action is taken, and does very little to even measure blood lead levels of adults in the general population or high-risk groups like renovators, shooters, leadlighters and other hobbyists?
Or suggest other ways to change the mindset about what's an acceptable blood lead level for adults.
Kind regards
Elizabeth O'Brien
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kelly O'Grady" <lead@...>
To: <leadnet@...>
Sent: Friday, March 02, 2007 3:33 AM
Subject: [Leadnet] EHP Adult Lead Poisoning Monograph Series
New articles in March 2007 Environmental Health Perspectives:
1. <http://www.ehponline.org/members/2006/9786/9786.html>
http://www.ehponline.org/members/2006/9786/9786.html
http://www.ehponline.org/members/2006/9786/9786.html
Regina A. Shih,1 Howard Hu,2,3 Marc G. Weisskopf,2,3 and Brian S. Schwartz4
Cumulative Lead Dose and Cognitive Function in Adults: A Review of Studies
That Measured Both Blood Lead and Bone Lead
That Measured Both Blood Lead and Bone Lead
<http://www.ehponline.org/cgi-bin/findtoc2.pl?tocinfo=Environmental%20Health
%20Perspectives@115@3@2007> Environmental Health Perspectives Volume 115,
Number 3, March 2007
%20Perspectives@115@3@2007> Environmental Health Perspectives Volume 115,
Number 3, March 2007
Exerpt:
Conclusions: At exposure levels encountered after environmental exposure,
associations with biomarkers of cumulative dose (mainly lead in tibia) were
stronger and more consistent than associations with blood lead levels.
Similarly, in studies of former workers with past occupational lead exposure,
associations were also stronger and more consistent with cumulative dose than
with recent dose (in blood) . In contrast, studies of currently exposed
workers generally found associations that were more apparent with blood lead
levels ; we speculate that the acute effects of high, recent dose may mask the
chronic effects of cumulative dose. There is moderate evidence for an
association between psychiatric symptoms and lead dose but only at high levels
of current occupational lead exposure or with cumulative dose in
environmentally exposed adults
associations with biomarkers of cumulative dose (mainly lead in tibia) were
stronger and more consistent than associations with blood lead levels.
Similarly, in studies of former workers with past occupational lead exposure,
associations were also stronger and more consistent with cumulative dose than
with recent dose (in blood) . In contrast, studies of currently exposed
workers generally found associations that were more apparent with blood lead
levels ; we speculate that the acute effects of high, recent dose may mask the
chronic effects of cumulative dose. There is moderate evidence for an
association between psychiatric symptoms and lead dose but only at high levels
of current occupational lead exposure or with cumulative dose in
environmentally exposed adults
--------------------------
2. <http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2006/9785/abstract.html>
http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2006/9785/abstract.html
http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2006/9785/abstract.html
Ana Navas-Acien,1 Eliseo Guallar,2,3 Ellen K. Silbergeld,1 and Stephen J.
Rothenberg4
Rothenberg4
Lead Exposure and Cardiovascular Diseaseā?"A Systematic Review
Excerpt:
Conclusions: We conclude that the evidence is sufficient to infer a causal
relationship of lead exposure with hypertension. We conclude that the evidence
is suggestive but not sufficient to infer a causal relationship of lead
exposure with clinical cardiovascular outcomes. There is also suggestive but
insufficient evidence to infer a causal relationship of lead exposure with
heart rate variability.
relationship of lead exposure with hypertension. We conclude that the evidence
is suggestive but not sufficient to infer a causal relationship of lead
exposure with clinical cardiovascular outcomes. There is also suggestive but
insufficient evidence to infer a causal relationship of lead exposure with
heart rate variability.
Public Health Implications: These findings have immediate public health
implications. Current occupational safety standards for blood lead must be
lowered and a criterion for screening elevated lead exposure needs to be
established in adults. Risk assessment and economic analyses of lead exposure
impact must include the cardiovascular effects of lead. Finally, regulatory
and public health interventions must be developed and implemented to further
prevent and reduce lead exposure.
implications. Current occupational safety standards for blood lead must be
lowered and a criterion for screening elevated lead exposure needs to be
established in adults. Risk assessment and economic analyses of lead exposure
impact must include the cardiovascular effects of lead. Finally, regulatory
and public health interventions must be developed and implemented to further
prevent and reduce lead exposure.
-----------------------------------------
3. <http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2006/9784/abstract.html>
http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2006/9784/abstract.html
http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2006/9784/abstract.html
Michael J. Kosnett,1 Richard P. Wedeen,2 Stephen J. Rothenberg,3,4 Karen L.
Hipkins,5 Barbara L. Materna,6 Brian S. Schwartz,7,8 Howard Hu,9 and Alan
Woolf10
Hipkins,5 Barbara L. Materna,6 Brian S. Schwartz,7,8 Howard Hu,9 and Alan
Woolf10
Recommendations for Medical Management of Adult Lead Exposure
Environmental Health Perspectives Volume 115, Number 3, March 2007
Excerpt:
Based on this literature, and our collective experience in evaluating
lead-exposed adults, we recommend that individuals be removed from
occupational lead exposure if a single blood lead concentration exceeds 30
Āµg/dL or if two successive blood lead concentrations measured over a 4-week
interval are ā?„ 20 Āµg/dL. Removal of individuals from lead exposure should
be considered to avoid long-term risk to health if exposure control measures
over an extended period do not decrease blood lead concentrations to < 10
Āµg/dL or if selected medical conditions exist that would increase the risk of
continued exposure. Recommended medical surveillance for all lead-exposed
workers should include quarterly blood lead measurements for individuals with
blood lead concentrations between 10 and 19 Āµg/dL, and semiannual blood lead
measurements when sustained blood lead concentrations are < 10 Āµg/dL. It is
advisable for pregnant women to avoid occupational or avocational lead
exposure that would result in blood lead concentrations > 5 Āµg/dL.
lead-exposed adults, we recommend that individuals be removed from
occupational lead exposure if a single blood lead concentration exceeds 30
Āµg/dL or if two successive blood lead concentrations measured over a 4-week
interval are ā?„ 20 Āµg/dL. Removal of individuals from lead exposure should
be considered to avoid long-term risk to health if exposure control measures
over an extended period do not decrease blood lead concentrations to < 10
Āµg/dL or if selected medical conditions exist that would increase the risk of
continued exposure. Recommended medical surveillance for all lead-exposed
workers should include quarterly blood lead measurements for individuals with
blood lead concentrations between 10 and 19 Āµg/dL, and semiannual blood lead
measurements when sustained blood lead concentrations are < 10 Āµg/dL. It is
advisable for pregnant women to avoid occupational or avocational lead
exposure that would result in blood lead concentrations > 5 Āµg/dL.
--------------------------------------------
4. <http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2006/9783/abstract.html>
http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2006/9783/abstract.html
http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2006/9783/abstract.html
Howard Hu, Regina Shih, Stephen Rothenberg, and Brian S. Schwartz
The Epidemiology of Lead Toxicity in Adults: Measuring Dose and Consideration
of Other Methodologic Issues
of Other Methodologic Issues
Environmental Health Perspectives Volume 115, Number 3, March 2007
Excerpt:
The strong associations of cumulative lead dose with race/ethnicity and
socioeconomic status raises methodologic concerns. Factors that in the past
were simply termed ā?oconfounding variablesā? are now more carefully
evaluated as potential mediators (i.e., in the biological causal pathway),
moderators (i.e.,risk modifiers), direct causes, or otherwise parts of complex
causal pathways (Kraemer et al. 2001). It is now understood that such complex
causal pathways also apply to lead exposure and chronic disease, including
cognitive dysfunction, hypertension, and renal dysfunction. These pathways can
include connections between individual-level indicators (e.g., age, sex,
race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status); behavioral risk factors; biological
factors (e.g., genetics); social factors (e.g., social capital, social
cohesion); lead dose (i.e., both recent and cumulative); health conditions
(e.g., diabetes, heart disease, hypertension); and other biological markers
predictive of disease (e.g., homocysteine levels) that may be thought of as
either outcomes by themselves or as intermediate pathological states that
result in other conditions (e.g., renal dysfunction, cognitive declines)
socioeconomic status raises methodologic concerns. Factors that in the past
were simply termed ā?oconfounding variablesā? are now more carefully
evaluated as potential mediators (i.e., in the biological causal pathway),
moderators (i.e.,risk modifiers), direct causes, or otherwise parts of complex
causal pathways (Kraemer et al. 2001). It is now understood that such complex
causal pathways also apply to lead exposure and chronic disease, including
cognitive dysfunction, hypertension, and renal dysfunction. These pathways can
include connections between individual-level indicators (e.g., age, sex,
race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status); behavioral risk factors; biological
factors (e.g., genetics); social factors (e.g., social capital, social
cohesion); lead dose (i.e., both recent and cumulative); health conditions
(e.g., diabetes, heart disease, hypertension); and other biological markers
predictive of disease (e.g., homocysteine levels) that may be thought of as
either outcomes by themselves or as intermediate pathological states that
result in other conditions (e.g., renal dysfunction, cognitive declines)
-------------------------------------------------
5. <http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2006/9782/abstract.html>
http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2006/9782/abstract.html
http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2006/9782/abstract.html
Brian S. Schwartz1,2 and Howard Hu3
Adult Lead Exposure: Time for Change
Environmental Health Perspectives Volume 115, Number 3, March 2007
Excerpt:
The lead standards of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
are woefully out of date given the growing evidence of the health effects of
lead at levels of exposure previously thought to be safe, particularly newly
recognized persistent or progressive effects of cumulative dose. The growing
body of scientific evidence suggests that occupational standards should limit
recent dose to prevent the acute effects of lead and separately limit
cumulative dose to prevent the chronic effects of lead. We hope this
mini-monograph will motivate renewed discussion of ways to protect
lead-exposed adults in the United States and around the world.
are woefully out of date given the growing evidence of the health effects of
lead at levels of exposure previously thought to be safe, particularly newly
recognized persistent or progressive effects of cumulative dose. The growing
body of scientific evidence suggests that occupational standards should limit
recent dose to prevent the acute effects of lead and separately limit
cumulative dose to prevent the chronic effects of lead. We hope this
mini-monograph will motivate renewed discussion of ways to protect
lead-exposed adults in the United States and around the world.
Kelly O'Grady RN
The First Six Years
The First Six Years
219 Welland St.,
Pembroke, ON CANADA
K8A 5Y5
Tel: 613-735-0717
Fax: 613-732-2859
Pembroke, ON CANADA
K8A 5Y5
Tel: 613-735-0717
Fax: 613-732-2859
Email: lead@...
The First Six Years (formerly known as Lead Environmental Awareness and
Detection l.e.a.d.) is a grass roots organization whose primary mandate is the
identifcation and prevention of pediatric lead exposure in Renfrew County
which occurs from residential sources: i.e. lead (paint, paint dust, water,
soil, other). We promote the development of optimal social and physical
environmental conditions for healthy productive children through blood lead
screening; environmental monitoring and surveillance; and public and
professional education.
Detection l.e.a.d.) is a grass roots organization whose primary mandate is the
identifcation and prevention of pediatric lead exposure in Renfrew County
which occurs from residential sources: i.e. lead (paint, paint dust, water,
soil, other). We promote the development of optimal social and physical
environmental conditions for healthy productive children through blood lead
screening; environmental monitoring and surveillance; and public and
professional education.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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EXTRACT FROM http://www.ehponline.org/members/2006/9782/9782.pdf
We would favor limits that keep blood
lead levels < 20 ug/dL to prevent the acute
effects of recent dose. For the prevention of
the chronic health effects of cumulative dose,
the available evidence suggests that tibia lead
levels should not be allowed to exceed 15 ug
lead/g bone mineral; this could also be
achieved by maintaining the cumulative
blood lead index below approximately
200-400 ug-years/dL (equivalent to an average
blood lead level of 20 ug/dL for
10-20 years or of 10 ug/dL for 20-40 years).
Unfortunately, other scientists and public
health professionals made similar recommendations
more than 15 years ago (Landrigan
et al. 1990; Silbergeld et al. 1991), and little
has resulted. We hope this mini-monograph
will have a larger impact on policy.
lead levels < 20 ug/dL to prevent the acute
effects of recent dose. For the prevention of
the chronic health effects of cumulative dose,
the available evidence suggests that tibia lead
levels should not be allowed to exceed 15 ug
lead/g bone mineral; this could also be
achieved by maintaining the cumulative
blood lead index below approximately
200-400 ug-years/dL (equivalent to an average
blood lead level of 20 ug/dL for
10-20 years or of 10 ug/dL for 20-40 years).
Unfortunately, other scientists and public
health professionals made similar recommendations
more than 15 years ago (Landrigan
et al. 1990; Silbergeld et al. 1991), and little
has resulted. We hope this mini-monograph
will have a larger impact on policy.
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