Abstract: This study examined the effectiveness of a family-based environmental education program in lowering young children's exposure to lead and whether a lead-lowering intervention was associated with changes in behavioral functioning. Thirty preschool-age children were divided into treatment and comparison groups, with the treatment group given an environmental education program on preventing lead exposure. This prevention program included preschool materials/activities and parent/family materials/activities. Prior to treatment, and again 9 months later, both groups had hair analysis for lead levels and ratings of problem behavior. Posttest hair-lead levels and teacher and parent ratings of nonadaptive behavior were significantly lower for the treatment group than for the comparison group. Although limited by the modest sample size, the results suggest that lead exposure degrades behavioral performance in young children and that family-based environmental education programs can reduce young children's exposure to lead.
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↑ http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00958964.1996.9942811