Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
2019

Lead Exposure in Newly Resettled Pediatric Refugees in Syracuse, NY (Article) (Open Access)

Lupone C.D.* , Daniels D. , Lammert D. , Borsuk R. , Hobart T. , Lane S. , Shaw A.
  • a Department of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States, Institute for Global Health and Translational Science, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
  • b Department of Pediatrics, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
  • c College of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
  • d Department of Pediatrics, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
  • e Department of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States, Department of Pediatrics, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
  • f Falk College, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, United States, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
  • g Department of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States, Institute for Global Health and Translational Science, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States, Department of Pediatrics, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States

Abstract

Lead is a major environmental toxin that presents numerous health consequences for children. Refugee children are at a risk of lead poisoning post-resettlement due to urban housing and environmental inequalities stemming from lack of funding, legislation, and advocacy. This article addresses lead exposure upon arrival and post-resettlement in 705 refugee children (age 0–16 years) attending a university clinic in Syracuse, NY, a city with a large refugee population. 17% of the newly arrived children had elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) (≥ 5 µg/dL); 10% had elevated BLL upon follow-up; 8.3% of the children’s follow-up elevated BLL were new exposures. 30% were found to have increased BLL at follow-up regardless of arrival status. An analysis of new exposures found a significant proportion of children would have been missed on routine screening that targets children < 2 years old. Primary prevention efforts are needed to prevent exposure and address risks to improve the health of all children locally, including newly resettled refugees. © 2019, The Author(s).

Author Keywords

Lead exposure Pediatric Environmental inequalities Anemia Refugee

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85063223562&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-019-00880-y&partnerID=40&md5=d86312e8f00c9b05733ef4bcec16c296
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-019-00880-y
ISSN: 15571912
Original Language: English