R.I. lead poisoning map shows huge disparities in rate of affliction

A BROWN UNIVERSITY STUDY REVEALED geographical disparities in the amount of risk for lead poisoning in Rhode Island children. Darker areas indicate increased risk for lead poisoning. For a larger version of this image, <a href=CLICK HERE. / " title="A BROWN UNIVERSITY STUDY REVEALED geographical disparities in the amount of risk for lead poisoning in Rhode Island children. Darker areas indicate increased risk for lead poisoning. For a larger version of this image, CLICK HERE. /"/>
A BROWN UNIVERSITY STUDY REVEALED geographical disparities in the amount of risk for lead poisoning in Rhode Island children. Darker areas indicate increased risk for lead poisoning. For a larger version of this image, CLICK HERE. /

PROVIDENCE – The risk of lead poisoning in children was four times higher than the average for those living in Rhode Island’s poorest neighborhoods, a Brown University study revealed.

In the hardest hit census blocks, – Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, Woonsocket and Newport – lead poisoning afflicted as many as 48.6 percent of children under the age of 6.

The institution’s study was funded by Brown and included money received from DuPont.

DuPont was originally part of the landmark lawsuit filed by the state against lead paint manufacturers, but was dropped after pledging money for cleanup and community grants. Three companies were found liable in the 2006 case, but had the judgments overturned in July.

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The Brown study also showed that the risk was just under three times higher for children living in a neighborhood with a preponderance of pre-1950s housing. Brown based its analysis on state health department mandated test results between 1993 and 2005 of 204,746 children.

“We know there are disparities, but to look at zero cases in some areas and almost 50 percent in some areas is still shocking,” said Patrick Vivier, associate professor of community health and pediatrics, and lead author of the study.

The study, showed visually in a map, indicates there is a much greater problem in some very specific areas of the state and has allowed the Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch to recommend the best places to spend the millions of dollars allotted for cleanup by DuPont.

Lead poisoning causes irreversible damage to a child’s developing nervous system and in the hardest-hit areas, a generation of children has been at high risk for behavioral disorders and reduced attention span.

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