High concentrations of lead were detected in a square in the city of Franc-Moisin in Saint-Denis (93). Pregnant women and children should be screened to prevent the risk of lead poisoning, a disease characterized by excess lead in the body.
- In Saint-Denis, an abnormally high concentration of lead was noted in a square.
- Pregnant women and children who have attended it are asked to take a blood test to assess the level of lead present in their body.
- Excess lead can cause lead poisoning, a disease dangerous for the nervous system, kidneys and bone marrow.
Lead in a children’s playpen. THE Parisian notes that excess lead was noted in a square in the city of Franc-voisin, in Saint-Denis (93). Analyzes were recently carried out during renovation work. They showed the presence of lead in the soil at levels higher than expected.
Lead contamination: screening as a precaution
Friday, November 29, the regional health agency presented the results of additional studies. If there is no threshold exceeded in the surrounding school groups, this is the case in the square. The agency therefore recommends “close bare or grassy areas (…), clean the coated surfaces and cover the existing soil”explain THE Parisian.
Pregnant women and children who have visited the park are asked to be screened using a blood test: the objective is to check that their blood lead level remains within the average. “It is important to understand that not all residents are part of the public at risk. And it is not a question of contamination in the air throughout the neighborhood, reassures the first deputy in charge of Health, Katy Bontinck, in the columns of Parisian. There, these are children under 7 years old who frequent the square frequently, with the habit of scratching the earth and then ingesting it.”
What is lead poisoning?
In children, ingestion is one of the main sources of lead contamination, according to theHealth Insurance. “Absorbed lead is stored in the body (90% of absorbed lead is stored in the bones) and can be released into the blood long after exposure to lead, underlines the organism. The effects of lead poisoning are therefore often late.”
It can have consequences on the nervous system, bone marrow and kidneys. In children, Health Insurance reminds that “low doses absorbed over a prolonged period can cause irreversible intellectual and physical delays. She cites in particular language, behavioral and learning disorders, slowed growth, motor difficulties or reduced hearing acuity. For pregnant women, this can lead to stunted fetal growth, an increased risk of miscarriage or premature birth, or learning disabilities in the newborn.
Lead, a subject of concern in Île-de-France
Saint-Denis is not the only city concerned by the subject. “LÎle-de-France is a region particularly affected by lead poisoning, a disease linked to exposure to lead, reminds himARS Ile-de-France. The region brings together numerous sources of exposure with the significant presence of old and degraded habitats in the territory, agricultural and industrial activities, constructions that heavily contribute lead or even in daily practices..” Between 2015 and 2018, between 145 and 221 cases were recorded in the region, which represents half of the cases in the metropolitan area.