Bock Pharmacal Launches Lead Poisoning Awareness Campaign; Occurrence of Childhood Lead Poisoning Rises During Summer Months.

ST. LOUIS--(HealthWire)--August 15, 1996--Bock Pharmacal Company today announced the launch of a national campaign to raise awareness of childhood lead poisoning among parents and healthcare providers.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), lead poisoning is the nation's number one environmental health threat to children. The third National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) estimates that nearly 1.7 million children, or one in eleven children, between the ages of six months and six years have blood lead levels greater than or equal to 10 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL). Neurological damage has been shown in children with blood lead levels as low as 10 mcg/dL.

Children between the ages of six months and six years are at the greatest risk for lead exposure and poisoning, as they have more hand to mouth contact than older children and adults. Additionally, young children absorb more lead than adults. Lead-based paint is the most common source of childhood lead poisoning. Children can be exposed to lead if lead-based paint in homes, schools and playgrounds is chipping or peeling. The CDC estimates that 57 million privately-owned households in the United States built prior to 1980 contain three million tons of lead-based paint.

"Fortunately, childhood lead poisoning is an entirely preventable childhood illness," said Laurie J. Berger, MBA, R.D., Product Manager for Chemet. "We need to educate private healthcare providers and parents to the potential risks of lead poisoning, and to the necessity for early detection and treatment."

Children may become lead-poisoned by inhaling or ingesting lead-based paint or contaminated soil, dust or drinking water. Small amounts of lead are naturally found in water and soil, but high levels can be caused by lead pipes, lead used for industrial purposes, and dust from structures containing deteriorating lead-based paint.

The risk of lead poisoning is greater in the summer months as more children are playing outdoors, thus increasing the likelihood of contact with lead contaminated soil and dust. Lead dust is also greater in the summer months due to increased home and building renovation, as well as dust from lead-based paint collected in the wells of open windows. High humidity in the summer can also cause increased paint deterioration.

At levels as low as 10 mcg/dL, lead poisoning is associated with decreased intelligence and behavioral development, and impaired growth. Lead is especially harmful to infants and fetuses, as it damages the developing brain and central nervous system. At levels above 80 mcg/dL, lead exposure in children can lead to coma, convulsions, and death.

Bock will target major cities in the Northeast and Midwest with a direct mail campaign to raise awareness among primary care physicians to the dangers of lead poisoning and the critical need for early detection and treatment. Lead specialists and public health workers will also be targeted. Bock's physician awareness campaign coincides with a national media campaign to educate the general public of the dangers of childhood lead poisoning.

In October of 1995, Bock acquired Chemet(R) (succimer), the only oral chelating agent indicated for the treatment of lead poisoning in children. It is indicated for children whose blood lead levels are greater than or equal to 45 mcg/dL. This level of lead poisoning traditionally required hospitalization and treatment with a series of painful intramuscular or intravenous injections. Chemet has a special affinity for removing lead from the body, while sparing trace elements like magnesium, iron, and calcium. Chemet is a critical tool in the broad-based lead abatement programs underway to help protect the health of children and others exposed to lead. The most common side effects to treatment are nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

In 1991, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revised the definition of lead poisoning to include children with blood lead levels greater than or equal to 10 mcg/dL, while recommending medical intervention at blood lead levels 20 mcg/dL. Bock has submitted an application to the FDA, to allow Chemet to be prescribed when blood lead levels are greater than or equal to 25 mcg/dL.

With over 50 years of experience in the healthcare arena, Bock Pharmacal Company of St. Louis, MO, is an emerging leader in the marketing and development of ethical, branded pharmaceutical products with an emphasis on women's health and respiratory products. On July 16, 1996, Sanofi, Inc. announced that it would acquire Bock Pharmacal Company. -0-

    Note to editors:

    Tips for parents to minimize lead exposure:

    -- Take your child to your family doctor once a year for a blood
       lead test

    -- Teach your children to remove their shoes before entering the
       house

    -- Teach your children to wash their hands often, especially
       before meals and when coming in from outside play

    -- Feed children foods rich in vitamins and nutrients, as well as
       foods which are low in fat to help keep blood levels low

    -- Use cold water for cooking and drinking; let the water run for
       15-30 seconds before drinking

    -- If your home was built prior to 1978, have your home tested
       for lead-based paint, or purchase a simple home lead test kit;
       if your home contains lead-based paint, seek professional
       help before abatement

    -- When renovating or remodeling your home, test for lead-based
       paint.  If your home contains lead-based paint, all work should
       be done by a trained professional.  The family should reside
       in a lead-safe environment until all lead hazards are
       removed from the home.

    For further information contact:

    -- National Lead Information Center Hotline    1-800-LEAD-FYI

    -- Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch Centers for
       Disease Control and Prevention              1-404-488-7330

    -- US Department of Housing and Urban Development
       Office of Lead-based Paint Abatement and
       Poisoning Prevention                        1-202-755-1822

    -- EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline           [phone]

NOTE TO BROADCAST EDITORS:

COORDINATES FOR VNR/B-ROLL TO ACCOMPANY THIS STORY ARE AS FOLLOWS:

THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 1996

1:00 - 1:30 PM (EASTERN): TELSTAR 401 (C-BAND); TRANSPONDER 7;
6.2 AND 6.8 DUAL AUDIO

INTERVIEWS WITH PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH LEAD POISONING AND PHYSICIAN
PROVIDED

CONTACT: Laurie Berger Merrie Deitch

Bock Pharmacal Burns McClellan

314/579-0770 212/505-1919