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Lead poisoning and children
Lead can poison children and adults alike, but children under the age of six are the most susceptible. Young children still have growing, developing brains and nervous systems, and any toxic substance may adversely affect the course of their normal development. In children under six years old, the blood brain barrier has not yet completely formed, increasing the child's risk to severe damage from lead exposure. Children's bodies may absorb as much as 50% of the lead they ingest, while an adult may absorb between 10 and 15%.
According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Part 3 (NHANES III) conducted by the CDC from 1991-1994, rates for lead poisoning were much higher among black children (11.2%) and Mexican children (4%), than among white children (2.3%). Based on the conclusions of the study, risk of lead poisoning was greatest for black children living in pre-1946 housing (21.9%) or in 1946-1973 housing (13.7%), for low income children living in pre-1946 housing (16.4%), and for urban children in pre-1946 housing (11.5%). Although some children are at a greater risk for lead exposure than others, lead knows no race or socio-economic boundaries and may affect any child.
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