December 12th, 2017
Objectives. This study will obtain quantitative estimates of changes in blood lead levels of lead poisoned children who do not receive chelation therapy and who reside in housing that undergoes lead paint abatement; obtain estimates of changes in house dust lead levels in abated housing units; evaluate factors that may effect changes in blood or dust lead levels follwoing abatement. Methodology. This study will use a cohort prospective design and measure blood lead (BPb) levels in an intervention group of lead poisoned children (n=100) with BPb levels of 25-35 mcg/dL whose housing units are abated following entry to the study, and measure BPb levels in a comparison group of children (n=100) with BPb levles of 15-24 mcg/dL whose housing units are not abated. Venous blood samples will be obtained for lead determinations from the intervention group children before and after abatement, and blood samples taken from comparision group children at comparable periods of time. Environmental samples of soil, dust, and water will be taken for lead determinations from the homes of children in both groups at times appropriate for comparative analyses and evaluation of the relationship between environmental lead and BPb. Evaluation. Crude analyses, paired and unpaired t-tests and analysis of covariance will be used to evaluate data. The statistical power of the study to detect a 3-6 mcg/dL difference in BPb levels between the intervention and comparison groups is excellent (0.98-1.00).All phases of data collection and analysis will be done in accordance with written quality control procedures.