City Corner: Lead in St. Louis
On City Corner, we address the current status and history of lead contamination in St. Louis, and what’s being done to remedy the situation. With Host Steve Potter is St. Louis Post Dispatch Reporter Blythe Bernhard and Julie A. Weber, Director of the Missouri Poison Center.
About this video
Host Steve Potter of STL TV’s City Corner speaks with St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Blythe Bernhard and Julie Weber, Director of the Missouri Poison Center, about lead contamination in St. Louis. Key points covered:
- Unlike Flint, Michigan, St. Louis’s water supply is unlikely to have lead pipe issues, but lead paint in older homes remains a significant problem.
- About 9% of children in St. Louis City still have high blood lead levels, primarily from lead paint in homes built before 1978.
- Children under 6 are most at risk due to developmental vulnerability and hand-to-mouth behavior. Effects include learning disabilities, lower IQ, and stunted growth.
- Sources beyond paint chips include lead fishing sinkers, curtain weights, and lead dust brought home on clothing from certain occupations.
- There are no symptoms at lower exposure levels, making testing critical. Children should be tested every year from age 1 to 6.
- The city provides free lead abatement for homes where children test high for blood lead levels, though funding has decreased significantly.
- Treatment for acute lead poisoning involves removing the child from the source and chelation therapy using oral medication to bind and remove lead from the body.
- To run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking is recommended in older homes to reduce lead risk from pipes and fixtures.
- Call 1-800-222-1222 with questions about lead poisoning or to get guidance on testing.