Abstract :
The major environmental health issue for children today is the extremely high prevalence of unacceptable exposure to lead, especially in inner cities, but occurring throughout the country. It is now generally accepted that lead is toxic to the developing nervous system at levels that were thought only a decade ago to be without effect. Children are more susceptible to the effects of lead than the adults who live in the same environments. Although lead-based paint is no longer used and lead is now removed from gasoline, children will continue to live in housing with the potential for lead poisoning for perhaps another generation. Research into the prevention of exposure and prevention of the consequences of unavoidable exposure is now under way.
