Screening recommendations issued by Santé publique France regarding environmental exposure to lead, following the recommendations of the HCSP: summary of referrals from July 2014 to January 2019
The report by the High Council for Public Health (HCSP) titled "Lead Exposure: Setting New Management Targets," published in 2014, established recommendations not only for lowering the threshold for mandatory reporting but also for proposing alert levels for the main sources of lead in the environment (soil, indoor dust, and tap water). As part of the implementation of these recommendations, Santé publique France conducted a review of the cases referred to it regarding the appropriateness of implementing lead poisoning screening following environmental lead contamination. This review covers cases for which a final response was issued between July 2014 and January 2019. In total, 15 cases were detailed in this review. The majority (11/15) concerned lead-contaminated soil, including 7 cases involving contaminated soil in public spaces with concentrations below the alert threshold (300 mg/kg). Lead-contaminated indoor dust accounted for 4 cases. The recommendations established by the HCSP have enabled a standardization of how requests are handled by the various national stakeholders. These thresholds serve as clear guidelines for health agencies and local health authorities. Nevertheless, a need for information exchange among the various stakeholders involved in handling these requests related to environmental lead pollution has been identified in order to agree on the approach to follow regarding the appropriateness of screening in certain situations. The establishment of HCSP recommendations, particularly regarding the situation of children over the age of 7 and the frequency of screening in the context of historical pollution, would facilitate the handling of local requests. Furthermore, since lead has health effects even at low doses, it is appropriate in all situations involving lead contamination of the environment to implement a set of measures aimed at limiting children’s exposure to lead, even if the appropriateness of screening has not been established.
Author(s): Pécheux Marie, Kairo Cécile, Verrier Agnès, Bassi Clément, Yvon Jean-Marc, Vaissière Emmanuelle, Bidondo Marie-Laure, Hulin Marion, Andrieu Audrey, Charron Martine, Clinard François, Amandine Cochet Amandine, Guillois Yvonnick, Lasalle Jean-Luc, Martel Mélanie, NDong Jean-Rodrigue, Solet Jean-Louis, Trouillet Morgane, Vanbockstael Caroline
Publishing year: 2021
Pages: 37 p.
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