Lead poisoning: a silent crisis

As a pediatrician at WellSpan, I have the privilege of caring for the children and families of south-central Pennsylvania. It is both my duty and joy to advocate for the health and well-being of all children in our communities. Pediatric health care emphasizes disease prevention and early recognition of health risks. One such risk that requires our immediate and collective action is the risk of lead exposure.

There is no safe level of lead in a child’s body, and its effects on the developing brain can be devastating. Each year, at least 7,000 children in Pennsylvania suffer from lead exposure and are at risk of permanent cognitive and behavioral deficits. This figure is likely just the tip of the iceberg, as it is estimated that only a fifth of children are currently tested for lead. Additionally, the burden of lead exposure does not fall equally on our populations. At WellSpan, our data reveals that non-white children are 2.8 times more likely to have abnormal lead test results. This stark disparity is unacceptable and requires urgent intervention.

Lead poisoning is a silent crisis because affected children are often not discovered until after they begin showing symptoms. This is why early detection is crucial and we must ensure that all children are tested so that unsafe environments can be identified quickly. Senate Bill 514, sponsored by Senator Lisa Baker, is an important step toward this goal. This bill makes blood screening for lead exposure mandatory for all children aged two, with a parental opt-out provision. It is estimated that 40,000 cases of elevated blood lead levels would be identified each year, allowing timely intervention to prevent further damage.

At WellSpan, we’ve taken proactive steps to address the risk of lead exposure through our Spotlight on Children’s Health program, an ambitious effort to address the physical, emotional, intellectual, and developmental needs of children that we serve. WellSpan is a leader among health systems in providing universal lead testing for children ages 9 months and 24 months. Importantly, we have also introduced point-of-care lead skin testing to our offices to allow parents and guardians to have their child tested for lead. Last year alone, we conducted more than 3,000 additional lead tests, identifying more than 400 elevated levels. These efforts highlight the effectiveness of testing for early detection of exposure and prevention of further harm.

We owe it to our children to ensure that their environments are protected from lead exposure. I urge the General Assembly to pass Senate Bill 514 and strengthen our commitment to the health and future of every Pennsylvania child. Additionally, I call on parents and guardians to have their children tested for lead exposure at the recommended ages. Together, we can ensure that our children grow, thrive and reach their full potential.

Dr. Christopher Russo, Director of Pediatrics and Medical Director of Quality and Innovation, WellSpan Health