Title

Assessing the Awareness of Lead Hazards in the Greater Burlington Area

Authors

Tessa R. BarclayFollow
Laura Taylor Director, University of VermontFollow
Steven Everse, The University of Vermont
Bailey Fay, Robert Larner M.D. College of Medicine at the University of VermontFollow
Aaron M. Gelinne, University of VermontFollow
Eliot S. Jia, University of VermontFollow
Julia McGinty, University of VermontFollow
Sunit K. Misra, Robert Larner College of MedicineFollow
Lauren Pyatt, Burlington Lead Program

Date of Publication

1-18-2017

Abstract

Introduction. Lead is a heavy metal found in and around homes built before 1978, comprising more than 80% of the housing stock in Chittenden County, Vermont. Lead exposure during infancy and childhood can have deleterious effects on development. Our study assessed baseline community understanding of potential household lead hazards in Chittenden County, Vermont.

Methods.. 123 paper, 10-question surveys were randomly administered to Chittenden County, VT residents to assess recognition of lead toxicology symptoms and awareness of lead safety programs. Scores were treated as continuous variables, demographically grouped, and analyzed using non-parametric statistical analysis (Mann-Whitney & Kruskal-Wallis). Individual questions were treated as dichotomous variables, demographically grouped and analyzed using chi-squared testing.

Results.. 48% of survey participants understood the interaction between ADHD and lead or knew the importance of window maintenance. 54.5% were aware of the Burlington Lead Program's assistance program. Participants earning less than $60,000 and those with less than a graduate degree scored statistically lower (p

Conclusion.. Lesser-known lead poisoning symptoms and home interventions that decrease lead exposure should be emphasized to the community. High-risk groups requiring targeted education include those who rent, have lower income and education levels. Primary care providers could serve a larger role in educating patients. Additional efforts should be made to publicize services offered by the Burlington Lead Program.

Advisor(s)

Steven Everse

University of Vermont

Lauren Pyatt

Burlington Lead Program

Agency

Burlington Lead Program

Subjects

Early and Middle Childhood, Educational and Community-Based Programs, Environmental Health

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 License

Recommended Citation

Barclay, Tessa R.; Director, Laura Taylor; Everse, Steven; Fay, Bailey; Gelinne, Aaron M.; Jia, Eliot S.; McGinty, Julia; Misra, Sunit K.; and Pyatt, Lauren, "Assessing the Awareness of Lead Hazards in the Greater Burlington Area" (2017). Public Health Projects, 2008-present. 251.
https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/251