Alliance to End Childhood Lead Poisoning Pamphlet

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THE FIRST NATIONAL 

CAMPAIGN 

The Alliance is a national nonprofit public interest 
organization created to launch a comprehensive 
attack on the epidemic of childhood lead poisoning . 
The Alliance was formed in 1990 by national leaders 
in pediatrics, public health, environmental protection, 
housing, education, minority rights and children’s 
welfare. Its offices are located on Capital Hill in 
Washington, D.C. 

The Alliance’s mission is to bring all resources to 
bear — other organizations, scientific and technical 
knowledge, public policy, economic forces and 
community action — to raise awareness and change 
perceptions about childhood lead poisoning and to 
develop and implement effective national prevention 
programs. 

THE SILENT EPIDEMIC 

Lead is the most serious environmental hazard facing 
U.S. children. The risk of lead poisoning is not some 
theoretical “one-in-a-million.” The hazard is 
immediate. The science is unequivocal. The epidemic 
is real. 

Today in the United States, one out of every six 
children is suffering from lead poisoning. A total of 
3,000,000 children nationwide — making lead 
poisoning the foremost preventable disease of 
childhood. 

Tragically, all too few parents and health professionals 
recognize the hazard to our children. While the 
Centers for Disease Control recommends that all 
children under age six be screened, nine out of ten 
children are never tested. As a result, the vast majority 
of lead poisoned children are never even identified. 

THE THREAT TO ALL OUR 

CHILDREN 

Lead is a powerful neurotoxin, which interferes with the 
development and functioning of virtually all body 
organs and systems. At high levels lead causes coma, 

convulsions and death. At low levels lead affects 
central nervous system and brain development, putting 
children under age six at greatest danger. 

Research has documented the chilling evidence of 
lead’s damage to children, even at very low exposures 
— far below the levels which produce identifiable 
symptoms. While the outward signs may be subtle, 
the effects of lead poisoning are devastating and may 
be irreversible: 

* mental retardation, 

* reduced IQ, 

* reading and learning disabilities, 
* impaired growth, 

* hearing loss, 

* reduced attention span, and 

* behavior problems. 

THE ROOT OF THE 

PROBLEM 

The overwhelming cause of childhood lead poisoning is 
lead-based paint and dust in homes. Lead was 
banned in new residential paint in 1978. But about 
3/4 of older homes contain some lead-based paint. 
Some three million homes now have chipping and 
peeling lead paint and lead dust which are immediate 
hazards to children. 

The idea that only children who eat paint chips get 
lead poisoning is absolutely incorrect. We now know 
that invisible lead dust from paint is just as dangerous 
to children as paint chips. In fact, more and more  



children from middle and upper income families are 

now being poisoned by lead dust from improperly 

conducted home renovation projects. 

A national commitment to end childhood lead 

poisoning was made almost 20 years ago. But the 

federal government — across its agencies and 

departments, in Administration after Administration — 

has provided little leadership or resources. The 

problem has been dropped in the laps of state and 

local governments. As a result, prevention efforts have 

been scattered and ineffective. 

The health benefits of preventing childhood lead 

poisoning — to both the individual and the taxpayer 

— clearly outweigh the expense of cleanup. At the 

same time, deleading homes can also provide jobs, 

train workers, stabilize neighborhoods and strengthen 

local economies. 

But, childhood lead poisoning has become an 

“orphan” issue. Health groups consider it a children’s 

welfare issue; children’s advocacy groups view it as an 

environmental issue; environmental groups see it as a 

housing problem; and housing groups view it as a 

health issue. And nothing gets done. 

THE ALLIANCE'S 

COMPREHENSIVE AGENDA 

EDUCATION 

Informing health professionals, policy makers and the 

public about the scope, severity and full consequences 

of the epidemic. Raising consciousness through 

outreach activities and the media. Establishing a 

national clearinghouse to facilitate communications 

among local programs and enhance the exchange of 

technical information. 

POLICY SUPPORT 

Strengthening federal policies and programs to identify all 

children at risk, target high-hazard situations first, assure 

laboratory quality and capacity, and train qualified 

contractors and workers. Expanding lead-based paint 

abatements by working to augment funds otherwise 

available for low-income housing and by leveraging market 

forces. 

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 

Helping federal, state and local governments shift from 

reaction to true prevention, find more cost effective 

abatement methods, and expand capacity for screening, 

enforcement and prevention. Using the Alliance's 60- 

member expert Technical Advisory Committee to provide 

critical review and forge consensus on controversial 

technical issues. 

ADVOCACY 

Building a broad coalition for action among environ- 

mental, public health, low-income housing, education, 

labor, minority rights and children’s welfare organizations. 

Assuring the responsiveness of federal agencies in policy 

development, program management and technical issues. 

THE TRAGEDY OF THE 

DISEASE 

Childhood lead poisoning is a tragic disease because its 

victims are deprived of vital learning skills and 

opportunities before they have even gotten a start in life. 

It is tragic because it is more prevalent among poor, inner 

city, minority children who already have many other strikes 

against them. 

Most importantly, childhood lead poisoning is tragic 

because it is completely preventable. 
  

   



  

JOIN THE ALLIANCE'S 

NATIONAL CAMPAIGN 

The Alliance needs your help in launching an effective 

national prevention campaign to mobilize a broad range 

of forces to end this epidemic. Currently, the Alliance’s 

funding comes approximately half from philanthropic 

foundations and half from Federal grants for special 

projects. No corporate funds are accepted from directly 

related industries. 

To maintain its objectivity and independence and to assure 

its ability to speak forcefully to the issues the Alliance also 

needs a broad base of individual and corporate supporters. 

Please join the Alliance’s campaign to end the epidemic of 

childhood lead poisoning. 

THE ALLIANCE'S BOARD OF 

DIRECTORS 

Herbert L. Needleman M.D. 
Chairman 

Cushing Dolbeare 

Edward B. Fort Ph.D. 

Teresa Heinz 

Richard J. Jackson M.D. 

Seymour S. Kety M.D. 

Philip J. Landrigan M.D. 

Audrey McMahon 

Frank Oski M.D. 

Charles E. Peck 

Stephanie Pollack Esq. 

David P. Rall M.D. 

Cecil G. Sheps M.D. 

Ellen Silbergeld Ph.D. 

Bailus Walker, |r. Ph.D. 

Don Ryan 
Executive Director 

@® Printed on recycled paper 

YES, 

I'D LIKE TO JOIN THE 

ALLIANCE'S NATIONAL 

CAMPAIGN 

Enclosed is my tax-deductible contribution of: 

_1 Please add me to your mailing list 

_1 Please send me material on national or regional 

conferences 

My special areas of expertise or interests include: 

  

  

  

  

  

  

_1 Screening 1 Public Health 

_1 Low-income housing _1 Pediatric care 

_1 Children’s welfare _1 Education 

_1 Primary prevention _1 Minority rights 

1 Learning Disabilities 1 Literacy 

1 Lead paint abatement _1 Testing and analysis 

1 Worker protection 1 Law and regulation 

Name 

Organization 

Address 

City 

State ZIP 

— A&A a) 

Send to: ALLIANCE TO END 

CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING 

600 Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E. 

Suite 100 

Washington, D.C. 20003