About Lead Poisoning

Lead poisoning is the number one environmental hazard threatening children throughout the United States, affecting an estimated 310,000 children under the age of six. Children under 6 and pregnant women are at the greatest risk for lead poisoning because lead inhibits the proper physical and cognitive development of in children and infants. Even low levels of lead poisoning can cause hyperactivity, aggressive behavior, learning disabilities, lowered IQ, speech delay and hearing impairment. High levels of lead can cause severe mental disabilities, convulsions, coma or even death.

Lead poisoning is completely preventable, yet hundreds of children in Maryland are diagnosed with elevated levels of lead in their blood each year and thousands of children go untested. Because of lead's effect upon a child's brain, thousands of Maryland children fail to reach their full potential and hundreds of communities are prevented from the benefits of the child’s long-term productivity. Studies have shown children who are lead poisoned are more likely to become involved with the juvenile justice system and that lead poisoned children are seven times more likely to drop out of school before graduating. Because of lost wages and the burden on taxpayers caused by anti-social behaviors and increased special education needs, it is estimated that that general public loses millions of dollars each year.

Lead poisoning causes irreversible damage to the brain and nervous system as well as the heart and red blood cells resulting in:

• Learning disabilities
• Lowered I.Q.
• Hyperactivity
• Attention Deficit Disorder
• Speech Delay
• Hearing Loss
• Slowed or reduced growth
• Behavioral Problems
• Violent or Aggressive Behavior

High Level Poisoning can result in: Serve Cognitive Disabilities, Coma and Death. 

The harmful effects of lead poisoning are permanent. The ONLY cure is prevention.