Brown study finds big disparity in lead poisoning among RI kids

A new study by Brown University finds the rate at which lead poisoning has struck young Rhode Island children depends heavily on where they live.

The study used data from across the state between 1993 and 2005.

The Brown study found that some census blocks in the state had no cases of poisoning in the study group of 204,746 children, but in the hardest hit census blocks of Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, Woonsocket, and Newport, lead poisoning afflicted as many as 48.6 percent of kids under 6.

“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.

Although the trend over time has been that lead poisoning cases are declining, that does not mean the problem's impact has dissipated.

The damage lead can do to a child's developing nervous system is irreversible.

In hard-hit areas, the study found, a generation of children has been at high risk for suffering symptoms such as behavioral disorders and reduced attention span and IQ scores.