Introduction to the Tool Kit
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Lead Poisoning Prevention
Program (LPPP) in conjunction with the Office of Refugee Resettlement developed
the Lead Poisoning Prevention in Newly Arrived Refugee Children tool kit in
response to the increasing number of refugee children entering in the United
States and subsequently developing elevated blood lead levels.
CD-ROMs of the tool kit are available by calling 1-800-CDC-INFO.
Background
On April 21, 2000, a two-year-old Sudanese refugee girl became the first child
in the United States known to have died from lead poisoning in 10 years. Her
exposure occurred in the United States and was caused by lead paint in the home.
Beginning in May 2004, after the resettlement of 242 refugee children,
predominately from Africa, it was discovered that a significant number of the
children age range from 6 months to 15 years developed elevated blood lead
levels after their arrival to the United States. Most of the children were
resettled to a state that had established a policy to screen refugee children
for lead during their initial health examination. The first blood lead
screening was done within 90 days of the children's arrival; the second
screening was done 3 to 6 months after their placement in permanent residence.
Most of the children had initial capillary BLLs <10 µg/dL which supports the
hypothesis that exposure occurred after arrival to the United States.
Environmental investigations revealed moderate lead hazards in the residence,
and some contamination in soil in play areas frequented by the children.
The children showed evidence of extreme chronic malnutrition and other moderate
to severe health conditions
Lead poisoning continues to be a reoccurring problem for refugee children
resettled in the United States. Although little is know about lead exposure in
their country of origin, data collected and research supports that most of the
children are poisoned after their resettlement to the United States.
Contents of the Tool Kit
The tool kit is divided into three sections.
- Refugee Resettlement Worker Module
Direct download: PowerPoint Presentation and Presentation Notes
Purpose: This self-guided module provides information about the importance of identifying and determining possible lead hazards in the homes of newly arrived refugee children, assuring blood lead medical services to these children, and educating the refugee population on lead poisoning prevention.
Intended Audience: This module was developed for refugee coordinators, refugee health coordinators, state and local health departments, and additional organizations involved with the well-being and resettlement of refugees.
- Medical Provider Module
Direct download: PowerPoint Presentation and Presentation Notes
Purpose: This self-guided module provides information about CDC's recommendation for identifying children with elevated blood lead levels and early post-arrival medical evaluation and therapy.
Intended Audience: This module was developed for those involved with direct medical services to refugees.
- Resources
Purpose: This section includes resources for refugee resettlement workers and medical providers such as frequently asked questions about CDC's recommendations for lead poisoning prevention in newly arrived refugee children, fact sheets, training materials, links to childhood lead poisoning prevention organizations, and more.
Intended Audience: These resources were collected to assist anyone interested in learning more about the issue of lead poisoning among newly arrived refugee children.
Evaluation
We would like to receive feedback from you on the usefulness of this tool kit as
it applies to your job. We would also like to know what we can do to enhance
this product and that of future tool kits. Please
link to our evaluation
form and email it to leadinfo@cdc.gov.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, U.S.A
Tel: (404) 639-3311 • CDC Contact Center: 800-CDC-INFO • 888-232-6348 (TTY)
