The contribution of housing renovation to children's blood lead levels: A cohort study

Spanier, AJ; Wilson, S; Ho, M; Hornung, R; Lanphear, BP

HERO ID

2657544

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2013

Language

English

PMID

23981571

HERO ID 2657544
In Press No
Year 2013
Title The contribution of housing renovation to children's blood lead levels: A cohort study
Authors Spanier, AJ; Wilson, S; Ho, M; Hornung, R; Lanphear, BP
Journal Environmental Health
Volume 12
Page Numbers 72
Abstract Background: Routine renovation of older housing is a risk factor for childhood lead poisoning, but the contribution to children's blood lead levels is poorly defined for children with lower exposure levels. Methods: We examined a prospective cohort of 276 children followed from 6 to 24 months of age. We conducted surveys of renovation activities and residential lead hazards and obtained blood lead level (B-Pb) every six months. We analyzed B-Pb in a repeated measures design using a mixed effects linear model. Results: Parent reported interior renovation ranged from 11 to 25% of housing units at the four, 6-month periods. In multivariable analysis, children whose housing underwent interior renovation had a 12% higher mean B-Pb by two years of age compared with children whose housing units were not renovated (p < 0.01). The time between renovation and the child blood lead sample was associated with higher B-Pb (p-value for trend <0.01); compared to children in non-renovated housing, children whose housing units underwent renovation in the prior month had a 17% higher mean B-Pb at two years of age, whereas children whose housing renovation occurred in the prior 2-6 months had an 8% higher mean B-Pb. We also found an association between higher paint lead loading, measured using an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) based paint lead index, and child B-Pb (p = 0.02); for every 10 mg/cm2 increase in paint lead loading index there was a 7.5% higher mean childhood B-Pb. Conclusions: In an analysis of data collected before the recent changes to Environmental Protection Agency's Lead, Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule, routine interior housing renovation was associated with a modest increase in children's B-Pb. These results are important for the provision of clinical advice, for housing and public health professionals, and for policymakers.
Doi 10.1186/1476-069X-12-72
Pmid 23981571
Wosid WOS:000323727600001
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword blood lead; lead; renovation; repair