Nearly half a million children living in the United States have elevated blood lead levels that may cause significant damage to their health, estimates the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The estimate is based on national surveys conducted in 2007-2008 and 2009-2010.
Major sources of lead exposure to U.S. children include lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust in deteriorating buildings. Children can also be exposed to lead from additional sources including contaminated drinking water, take-home exposures from a workplace, and lead in soil.
To increase awareness of childhood lead poisoning prevention, the Lassen County Public Health Department along with CDC, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is participating in National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week October 19th – 25th.
This year’s NLPPW theme, “Lead-Free Kids for a Healthy Future,” underscores the importance of testing your home, testing your child, and learning how to prevent lead poisoning’s serious health effects.
Our local public health office is reminding parents of these basic lead safety facts:
- Lead is harmful to children, especially those under age 6.
- Lead can damage a child’s brain and nervous system.
- It can cause permanent learning and behavioral problems that make it difficult for children to succeed in school.
- A blood test is the only way to know if a child has lead poisoning – most children with lead poisoning do not look or act sick.
- Children at highest risk for lead exposure are those in government assisted health programs and those who live or spend time in older housing (built before 1978).
- Children at risk should be tested at ages 1 and 2.
- Children at risk who were not tested at ages 1 and 2 should have a blood test
Free blood lead testing is available for most children – ask your child’s doctor about getting tested.
- Children who receive services from Medi-Cal or Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) are eligible for free testing.
- Private health insurance plans typically pay for the blood test.
Frequently Asked Question About Lead Poisoning from California Dept. of Public Health (CDPH): Click Here
For more information, contact Lassen County Department of Public Health Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at 530-251-8183.
