Document QJxR0DZ6YJB1Dk55YMQY7gZk6

PROTECTING YOUR CHILD r- ' ONLYYOU____ CAN PREVE:nN|TCfilLDHOOD LEAD POISONING^ LIA-76314 script two -- 1 4:36 PM April 30, 1986 1. TITLE SHOT - PROTECTING YOUR CHILD 2. " " - ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING 3. Lead poisoning is bad. It hits kids the hardest. 4. Children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years absorb lead into their bodies at a faster rate than adults or older children. 5. We all take in small amounts of lead in the food we eat and the liquids we drink. 6. This is entirely natural.... 7. and there is a range of lead in our blood that is considered quite normal. 8. However, when a child takes in an unusual amount of lead, there is cause for concern. The higher the blood lead level, the greater the hazard to the child's health. 9. Excessive lead absorption can cause severe learning disabilities and behavioral disorders in young children. 10. In its worst form, lead poisoning causes a swelling of the brain called encephalopathy, which.... 11. if not fatal, leaves the stricken child with permanent, irreversible brain damage. 12. Less severe cases of lead poisoning can lead to poor muscular coordination, slowed learning ability and erratic behavior. LIA~76315 script two -- 2 4:36 PM April 30, 1986 13. But it doesn't have to happen -- not to your child, NOT TO ANY CHILD! 14. Lead poisoning isn't a bug or a virus. Your child can't catch it as if it were a cold. 15. Over 95% of childhood lead poisoning is the result of chewing and swallowing lead- based paint.... 16. the kind frequently found in old, deteriorating homes and apartments. 17. Some children have pica, a habit of putting non-food items in their mouths. 18. The combination of pica and peeling leaded paint can spell disaster for a child. 19. Children can also ingest lead in other ways. Youngsters sometimes chew on woodwork that is covered with leadbased paint. 20. Others are exposed by crawling on floors covered with lead-bearing dust. 21. Some few children are actually given folk remedies that contain lead salts. PAY-LOO-AH, AZARCON, and GRETA are examples of this kind of lead exposure. 22. No matter what the source of the lead poisoning, the results are always tragically similar. 23. Lead poisoning happens because parents don't recognize it soon enough, and don't know how to prevent it. LIA-76316 script two -- 3 4:36 PM April 30, 1986 24. The early signs of lead poisoning include: tiredness, nausea, crankiness and loss of appetite. These symptoms are often mistaken for flu,or other common illnesses. 25. How can you be sure that your child does not have a lead-related illness? 26. There's only one way - if you have a child between the ages of 6 months and 6 years who lives in, or visits old, deteriorating housing..... 27. enroll him or her in your neighborhood lead screening program. 28. Let's look at what a neighborhood lead screening program can do for you. 29. Just as the window screens in your home are designed to let in air and keep out bugs.... 30. a lead screening program lets those children with no signs of lead poisoning pass through, but identifies those who have high lead in their bodies. 31. The goal of a neighborhood lead screening program is to identify children with abnormal lead exposure BEFORE serious illness begins. 32. If a lead screening program saves even one child from the tragedy of permanent brain damage, it's worthwhile. LIA-76317 script two -- 4 4:36 PM April 30, 1986 33. Screening for lead poisoning should be a routine part of every child's health care. 34. The first screening should be done when the child is 6 months old, and should continue annually until age 6. 35. A screening program begins with a drop of blood from the child's finger. 36. For most children, that's all there is to it. 37. The blood sample is analyzed for erythrocyte proto porphyrin, known as EP. A high level of EP in the blood may mean that the child has been exposed to lead, but it does not always mean that the child is lead poisoned. 38. EP tests are quick and easy, but they are not specific for lead. A high EP reading could be the result of something other than lead, such as iron deficiency anemia. 39. The EP test is a good first indicator. Children with high EP levels must have a blood lead test to determine if the elevated EP level is due to lead. 40. Remember, everyone has some lead in his or her blood. This is entirely natural. 41. A screening program will identify children with un acceptable blood lead levels. 42. If the blood lead test confirms the findings of the EP test, the child will be referred to a physician or clinic for further diagnosis and treatment. LIA-76318 script two -- 5 4:36 PM April 30, 1986 43. Treatment varies according to the degree of lead exposure. If a child has a very high level of lead in his or her blood, a hospital stay may be necessary. 44. In extreme cases, the doctor may recommend chelation. It is a chemical that removes lead from the body. Chelation is uncomfortable and may have unpleasant side effects. It is used only when absolutely necessary. 45. In most cases, blood lead levels will return to normal without chelation -- once the source of lead exposure has been removed. 46. REMEMBER- if lead poisoning is caught in time, and the source of the lead is removed, unacceptable blood lead levels can be corrected, and the terrible effects oflead poisoning can be avoided. 47. If the screening tests confirm that your child has an abnormal blood lead level, you must do two things: 1. Take your child to the doctor or clinic referred by the lead screening program, and.... 2. Notify local public health officials so they can help you.... 48. locate and eliminate the source of the child's lead exposure. This is extremely important. 49. If the source of the lead exposure is not removed,.... klA-7632g script two -- 6 4:36 PM April 30, 1986 50. blood lead may return to unacceptable levels, and the child may once again become ill. 51. But this doesn't have to happen to your child-- enroll him or her NOW.... 52. in your neighborhood lead screening program. Make lead screening a routine part of your child's health care. 53. REMEMBER -- only you can prevent childhood lead poisoning! 54. CREDIT SLIDE -- Fournier Filmcom 55. CREDIT SLIDE -- Consultants 56. CREDIT SLIDE - LIA LIA-76320