Lead poisoning may be a much greater danger to children's health than has been generally realised, with relatively low levels affecting their intelligence and doing neurological damage, the Health Protection Agency warned yesterday.
Officials at the HPA say they are worried that children in Britain could be harmed even if they have less lead in their blood than the recommended maximum level set by the World Health Organisation of 100 micrograms per litre. Studies carried out in the United States have shown subtle damage to the brain at lower levels.
The dangers arise when children ingest or inhale tiny flakes of lead paint, which was only banned from sale in the late 1980s. As it deteriorates, peels, chips, or is pulverised during renovation work, house dust and soil can become contaminated. There is also lead in water pipes, some types of old-fashioned and ethnic make-up and in lead glazed pottery and crystal.
Five children have been officially recorded with lead poisoning this year, but the HPA says there may be more, and also that notifications are only made when a child is seriously ill, with more than 400 micrograms per litre of lead in their blood. "We are concerned that lead may pose a bigger problem in this country than is realised," said Virginia Murray, a toxicologist, at the HPA's annual scientific conference in Warwick.
Children are both more likely to ingest lead paint chips by sucking their fingers, and are also more vulnerable to the effects of toxic substances, than adults. Research needs to be done to establish whether low levels of lead poisoning are harming children's brains, the HPA believes. "One of the new roles of the Health Protection Agency is to look at some of the effects of long-term chemical exposures as well as the effects from acute incidents," said Pat Troop, the HPA's chief executive.
Whirlpool baths may also pose a threat to health, a further scientific presentation at the conference suggested. A year-long study showed that 23 whirlpool baths out of more than 100 in 83 premises contained the bacteria that causes legionnaires' disease.
Three people died in 2003 from legionnaires' disease that was traced back to whirlpool baths, and a further 24 people became ill - although so far this year there has been only one case.
Susanne Surman-Lee, who led the research for the HPA, said that poor maintenance was to blame. "Because spa pools are increasing in popularity we need greater recognition and understanding of the risks associated with their use and misuse.
"They have the potential to cause infection because the water systems become contaminated with bacteria and the high temperatures ... make considerable demands upon the disinfection and filtration systems, making it easy for the bacteria to develop and spread if [the baths are] not adequately maintained."
