Importance of Early Education Intervention

While the health effects of lead poisoning are irreversible, the lifelong negative consequences can be reduced if children are identified early, the sources of exposure are removed from their environment, and their growing minds are stimulated through early intervention programs. 

Enhancing the early learning environment can reduce the intensity of the negative effects of lead poisoning, assist children with school readiness, and can even enhance their ability to learn.

Even small amounts of lead in blood are harmful to children’s learning.  As blood lead levels increase, the severity of learning and behavior outcomes also increases.  The impact of lead exposure on education, behavior, and school performance, and learning is well-documented.  

Blood Lead Levels	Educational Impact
≤ 3 µg/dL	Decreased end of grade test scores
4 µg/dL at 3 years of age	Increased likelihood of learning disabled classification in elementary school Poorer performance on tests
5 µg/dL	30% more likely to fail third grade reading and math tests More likely to be non-proficient in math, science, and reading
5-9 µg/dL	Scored 4.5 points lower on reading readiness tests
≥ 10 µg/dL	Scored 10.1 points lower on reading readiness tests
10 to 19 µg/dL	Significantly lower academic performance test scores in 4th grade
≥ 25 µg/dL	$0.5 million in excess annual special education and juvenile justice costs

Extensive scientific research has documented a causal relationship between childhood lead poisoning and poverty and crime.  Lead exposure affects neural development and diminished functioning in the prefrontal cortex that is associated with impulsivity as well as with antisocial and violent behavior.  The effects of childhood lead poisoning not only impact a student’s performance and behavior in school, but also their lives as adults while in society.  

Even though Delaware requires screening of blood lead levels at 12 months and again at 24 months of age, older children, including school age children up to age 7, are at high risk of lifelong learning effects and lower IQ presented by lead exposure and should be screened if they exhibit health, behavioral, or cognitive symptoms.

Additional Resources:

• Educational Services for Children Affected by Lead Expert Panel. Educational interventions for children affected by lead. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2015.
• Sink, Meghan, 2022.  Elevated Blood Lead Levels as Eligibility Criteria for Early Intervention Programs.  Health Matrix 32 (1):  531-555.