Environmental evaluation

The primary aims of treatment are prevention of future lead exposure and absorption and enhancement of excretion. The four steps to accomplish these goals include: 1) assessing the environment to identify sources and making efforts to eliminate these sources or to remove the child from the contaminated environment; 2) modifying the behavior of the child to reduce hand-to-mouth activity for other than feeding purposes; 3) ensuring adequate nutrition, especially of minerals, to limit lead absorption; and 4) administering medications to increase lead excretion (Markowitz 2000).