Hazard of lead exposure in the home from recycled automobile storage batteries

Journal Article · Sat Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · Pediatrics; (United States)

OSTI ID:5473084

Dolcourt, J L; Finch, C; Coleman, G D; Klimas, A J; Milar, C R

Two families from rural areas of North Carolina had excessive lead exposure which resulted from either recycling exhausted automobile storage batteries in the home or burning the discarded battery casings for home heating. One child developed encephalopathy resulting in permanent brain damage. Decontamination efforts reduced the quantity of lead in the home environment by greater than 50%. Rural children, previously considered to be at low risk, may in fact receive profound exposures which may go unrecognized until encephalopathy occurs. Occupational histories should be obtained from parents in order to detect children at risk from environmental toxins brought into the home on workmen's bodies and clothing.

• OSTI ID: 5473084
• Journal Information: Pediatrics; (United States), Journal Name: Pediatrics; (United States) Vol. 68:2; ISSN PEDIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

552000 -- Public Health
560306* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
AGE GROUPS
AUTOMOBILES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
BRAIN
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHILDREN
COMBUSTION
DECOMPOSITION
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE PATHWAY
FEDERAL REGION IV
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HUMAN POPULATIONS
LEAD
LEAD-ACID BATTERIES
METALS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NORTH AMERICA
NORTH CAROLINA
ORGANS
OXIDATION
POPULATIONS
PYROLYSIS
RECYCLING
RURAL POPULATIONS
SENSITIVITY
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
USA
VEHICLES