Evaluating the Effectiveness of Policy Interventions in Reducing Lead Exposure among Vulnerable Populations

Introduction: Lead exposure continues to be a major public health issue, especially for vulnerable populations, including children and low-income communities. This has led to policy interventions, but the impact on reducing lead exposure is under scrutiny. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of policy measures in reducing lead exposure among susceptible populations. Methods: We undertook a systematic review of the literature to identify studies that assessed the effectiveness of policy interventions to reduce lead exposure. The search included peer-reviewed articles from 2000 to 2020, and studies were included if they (1) measured changes in lead exposure levels or (2) were a policy intervention targeted at a vulnerable population. Quality assessments of the studies were conducted using predefined criteria with data being synthesized through narrative. Results: Out of the twenty studies that met the inclusion criteria, most focused on lead paint abatement, lead service line replacement, or lead-safe renovation practices. These results point toward a substantial decrease in lead exposure following the introduction of policy interventions that can range as high as a 73% reduction in blood lead levels in children across multiple studies. Moreover, lead-exposure prevention policies implementing education and awareness programs showed favorable impacts by increasing knowledge among parents and encouraging the practice of safer behaviors to lower lead exposure. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential for policy interventions to significantly reduce lead exposure in susceptible populations. These results also stress the importance of regular assessment and refinement of these policies to guarantee continuing success that reduces lead exposure throughout the years. Further research should evaluate their cost-effectiveness and barriers to implementation and effectiveness.