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Internationally Adopted Children and Lead Exposure

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    Each year more than 100,000 children are adopted in the United States. Almost 22,000 of these children are from overseas. This number has been consistently increasing. The most common countries from which children are adopted are China, Russia, South Korea, Guatemala, and Romania. In many of these countries the documented risk for lead exposure is much higher than in the United States.

    How are exposure sources different in other countries than in the United States?

    Children’s exposure to sources of lead, outside of the United States, varies by country. Even within countries, lead exposure may also vary by ethnic group or income level. Lead-based paint and lead contaminated dust and soil remain the primary source of lead exposure for children in the United States. However, in other countries, important sources of lead exposure include:

    • Leaded gasoline exhaust;
    • Industrial emissions;
    • Cottage industries (e.g., battery breaking and recycling plants);
    • Traditional medicines;
    • Cosmetics;
    • Food;
    • Ceramic ware; and
    • Drinking water.

    Further information is available at the following links: