HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-Administration~
Mission:
wprotect, promote aimprove the health
v/all people .nFlorida through integpwu
state, county & community efforts.
VIslom: To be the Healthiest State in the Nation
Dear Health Care Provider:
January 3D.ZO14
Rick Scott
Governor
John H. Armstrong, MD, FAo
State Surgeon General & Secretary
The Florida Department ofHealth (FDOH)issending this letter because there have been media
reports of heavy metals in City of Miami and Miami -Dade County public parks, such as Blanche Park,
and families may have questions for their physicians, For up-to-date infonnaUon, please sae
http://www.dadehealth,org/toxic.asp. The Poison Control Center is available 24 hours per day to
provide information on testing and tnaodnQ patients for heavy metals.
FDOH has so far determined that there is minimal health risk for children, adults, (and animals) who
have had typical park/playground use over the last decade. For example, state toxicologists completed
o Health Risk Assessment (HF{4) for Blanche Park on November 25. 2013 that predicted that the
levels of chemicals found in the park (soil and groundwater) were not likely to pose a health concern,
TheCity ofMiami intaking steps toprevent future exposure atBlanche and several other Miami parks.
An HRA is only designed to determine if currant levels of chemicals at that location would odd
additional risk to the public's background exposure to chmm|oo|m in their lives. The Health Risk
Assessment cannot be used to link individual illnesses to past chemical exposures.
Clinicians and families may still have concerns about individuals with specific questions about clinical
aspects of toxic exposures, such as possible sympb:ms, heoUng, and treatment. One option is to
consult the Poison Control Center24 hours/day bycalling 1'8DO'222-1212.They can provide accurate
information on the appropriate method for testing of heavy metals in blood and/or urine.
\
/
LdUlanRivera, RN, M8N.PhD
Heolth[}fficerAAdminhetrgkor
Florida Department ofHealth in
Miami -Dade County
Florida Department of Health
wiamiuodemmnty
81/5wVV 12" Street, Suite 300.00raiFL33126
Sincerely,
�
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Jeffrey Brosco, MO, PhD
Regional Medical Director
Chi|dnen's Medical Sanvines, K8iami'OadeCounty
Florida Department of Health
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,
www.FlaridasHosith.com
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HEAVY METAL POISONING
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are many heavy metals in our
environment both naturally and from pollution. Some of these, including copper, iron and zinc, play
important roles inour bodies if they are |nanormal level. Others have noknown benefit for health.
There is growing evidence that "chronic"orlong-term exposure tolower levels wVheavy metals
also causes health problems, The symptoms of chronic heavy metal poisoning can be severe, but
are often less obvious and develop much more slowly over time than the symptoms caused by acute
exposure.
� Many wfthe symptoms ofheavy metal toxicity can include:
o Alcohol intolerance, allergies (environmental and food sensitivities), chronic unexplained
pain, coated tongue, cold hands and feet, dark circles under the eyes.
o Extreme febQue, depression, headaches, |oum ofmemory and forgetfulness, low body
tempen3ture, metallic taste in the mouth, muscle and joint pain, muscle tics or twitches.
o K8uao|e tremorn, night sweats prone to raahes, prone to mood swings, sensitive teeth skin
problems. sore orreceding gums, tingling in the extremities, . unsteady gait, vitamins and
mineral deficiencies.
True chronic heavy metal poisoning is rare. More often, these same symptoms can be caused by other
health problems not related to a metal exposure atall.
Different heavy metals are best tested for in different ways. Some are haah*d for in uhne, and some are
tested for in blood samples. One single test is not going togive the best information for all heavy
metals.
Diagnosis or treatment should not be based on hair analysis alone because hair may pick up materials
such as sweat and dust that can contain many things, including heavy metals. Apomitive hair test
cannot tell you how much of the metal is in your body or whether or not it is causing disease.
Clinicians and families with specific questions about clinical aspects of toxic exposures
(possible symptoms, testing and treatment) should consult the Poison Control Center
24hrmhdaybycalling 800-222~1212.
Additional Resources:
Agency for Toxic Substances &Disease Registm(ATSOR) Toxic Substances Portal: ToxFAQs:
mmum/.atmdcodc.Qov/
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Safety and Health Topics: Heavy Metals at
mohe.gox/SLTC/neta|sheavv/!ndex'Mtnn|
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "FDA issues warnings to marketers ofunapproved 'che|abon'
producta.^Oct. 142D1O:
wwvvv.fda.gow/NeavmEvents/Nex*mrmonn/PressAnnmunoonmmnts/uonm22932O.htn
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency information on health effects of metals'.
vmmw.mpo.Qov/mnercum/and wwmw.epm.QovYlwad/
Submitted into the public
record ;nconnection with
item RE.7on 02/13/14
Todd B.Hannon
City Clerk