Document gb2GVE4jo6aJ4O0gxwDQLE2nG

SEP 2 3 1970 Baltimore City Health Department WEEKLY LETTER TO THE MAYOR WK.37 In his WEEKLY LETTER TO THE MAYOR dated September IS, 19703 the Commissioner of Health wrote; Dear Mayor; Baltimore's child lead paint poisoning experience to date in 1970 shows 19 child.cases of poisoning compared to 15 at the same time last year The slight increase over last year is due to a more intensive case-finding program conducted at the Johns Hopkins Hospital by Dr, J. Julian Chisolm, Jrt Associate Professor of Pediatrics and one of the country's leading authorities on child lead paint poisoning.. Hopefully, the end of summer will mark a sharp drop in cases since the pattern of lead poisoning *s to peak during hot weather. However, there is no reason for parents, or physicians to let down their guard ir. suspecting lead paint poisoning in any child with vague symptoms of digestive upset or nervous or mental involvement Lead paint poisoning can occur at any time of the year although most cases occur in summer. Of the 19 cases reported 12 viere children under three years old. 4 were from three to four, and 3 ranged in age from four to twelve years, A case in a five-yearold terminated fatally August 29 thus ending a period of more than 3 years without a death from lead paint poisoning. Parents and physicians are warned to be constantly alert to a child's exposure to lead paint- Any of the following signs or symptoms should call for an immediate visit to a doctor or clinic to check on child lead poisoning; Nibbling painted surfaces inside or outside the house (quantity is not iiiiportant--even a small amount can be dangerous), nausea, vomiting, frequent headache, indigestion or constipation, apathy or disinterest, and most serious--convulsions. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent a family's lifelong hardship in caring for a disabled or mentally defective child, Always suspect lead paint poisoning if a child exhibits any vague symptoms difficult to explain or diagnose. The City Health Department's 17 member Lead Faint Poisoning Prevention Committee established in 1956 was,, so far as is known, the first such committee in the country; Its attack on this problem from legal, environmental, diagnostic and educational standpoints may be seen by a downward trend from 133 cases and 10 deaths in 195S to less than 20 cases within each of the past three years Chairman is Dr Emanuel Kaplan, Assistant Director, Baltimore City. Branch, Bureau of Laboratories, Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Very truly yours, (Signed) Robert E. Farber, M,D, Commissioner of Health W N39092