Questions and Answers
An exposure investigation is the collection and analysis of samples to determine whether people have been exposed to hazardous substances. In Jasper and Newton County, we will measure lead in blood and the environments of up to 225 children under the age of 6, and 75 pregnant women or women of childbearing age between the ages of 15-44.
ATSDR and our partners are doing this exposure investigation to determine blood lead levels in the community and environmental lead levels in and around the homes of participants. This investigation will help to better understand how environmental contamination may impact blood lead levels in your community.
This is no safe blood lead level in children. If a woman has high levels of lead in their blood or lead stored in their bones, it can be harmful to the developing baby during pregnancy. Lead is most harmful to children, infants, and unborn babies. Harmful effects may include damage to the brain and nervous system, slowed growth and development, decreased hearing, and attention, learning, and behavioral problems.
It will take about 15 minutes to answer a questionnaire and 15 minutes to draw blood. Follow up environmental sampling inside and outside the home will take about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Parents or guardians and women of childbearing age will:
- Know the amount of lead in their child’s or their blood
- Know if they have more lead in their body than most children or adults in their community and the United States
- Know if there is lead in their yard, home, and/or water
- Receive information to share with their doctor for consultation and follow up
- Receive information to help identify and remove sources of lead in their environment
- Participants may feel a sting or pinch in their arm when the blood is drawn
- Sometimes a bruise or small blood clot can occur where the blood is taken
- Participants may feel lightheaded for a short time
- Rarely an infection could develop as a result of the puncture through the skin
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, ATSDR, is a federal public health agency. Our mission is to protect communities from harmful health effects related to exposure to natural and man-made hazardous substances. We work with communities, environmental groups, and local, state, and other federal agencies to protect public health.
For this EI, ATSDR is working with the:
- S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS)
- Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR)
- Mid America Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (MAPEHSU)
- Joplin City Health Department
- Newton County Health Department
- Jasper County Health Department
EPA is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
EPA’s Superfund Program will test for lead in soil from participants’ yards and water from participants’ private wells.
MDHSS is the state health department. MDHSS stands for Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
MDHSS will test for lead in household dust from participants’ homes, paint inside and outside participant’s homes, and water from participants’ homes using a public water supply. MDHSS will schedule a time with you to test your home after the blood test.
MAPEHSU stands for the Mid America Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit. Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units or PEHSUs are a national network of experts in the prevention, diagnosis, management, and treatment of health issues that arise from environmental exposures for children and women of childbearing age.
Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City manages the Mid America PEHSU that serves Missouri. The PEHSU will assist ATSDR as we work to involve and educate local health care providers and develop action plans for the case management of participants.
Yes. ATSDR is working with the Joplin City Health Department, the Newton County Health Department, and the Jasper County Health Department. ATSDR and the local public health partners will work together to support participants. Local health departments are responsible for conducting case management for participants with elevated blood lead levels.
You can email your question to MOLead@cdc.gov. We will answer your question directly and from time to time add new questions with answers to this webpage.