CHILDHOOD LEAD-POISONING AND VINYL MINIBLIND EXPOSURE

Objective: To determine the contribution of vinyl miniblinds to childh ood lead poisoning. Design: A descriptive investigation was undertaken to estimate attributable risk among all reported childhood lead poiso ning cases in North Carolina for which home environmental sampling was conducted between March and August 1996. Participants: Ninety-two chi ldren, aged 6 to 72 months, identified through a statewide screening p rogram were included. Blood lead and environmental sampling test resul ts were obtained from routine surveillance data collected for all lead -poisoned children. Results: Exposure to vinyl miniblinds with dust le ad levels of 100 mu g/ft(2) or more occurred for 44 (48%) of the lead- poisoned children; 25 (27%) of the children were exposed to levels of 500 mu g/ft(2) or more. Vinyl miniblinds were the predominant source t ie, other major sources of lead were not identified) for 8 (9%) of the children. Overall, the median dust lead level for vinyl miniblind fie ld samples was 590 mu g/ft(2), and the highest level reported was 73 3 02 mu g/ft(2). Even new vinyl miniblinds manufactured before July 1996 contained dust lead levels that on average exceeded 100 mu g/ft(2). T he levels for recently available nonleaded vinyl miniblinds were below the limits of detection. Conclusions: Vinyl miniblinds, introduced in to this country 10 years ago, with sales estimated at 30 million sets a year, include brands containing lead. Although new formulations with no lead added are available, millions of children may still be at ris k because a product recall has not been issued tie, lead-contaminated vinyl miniblinds are still in general use). In addition, the risk asse ssment evaluations proposed in lieu of universal blood lead screening for low-risk communities could overlook children with exposure to this source.