Central District Health Department (CDHD) Recognizes National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

Jennifer Barrios of the CDHD talked with Brian Gallagher about Lead Poisoning Week.

About 3.3 million American households, including 2.1 million low-income households, have children under 6 years of age who live in homes with lead exposure hazards. Even relatively low levels of lead exposure can impair a child’s cognitive development. Children with blood lead levels can experience delayed growth and development, damage to the brain and nervous system, learning and behavior problems, and a host of other health-related problems. Public health actions are needed for these children. There is no safe blood lead level in children.

Lead can be found inside and outside the home, including in the water that travels through lead pipes or in the soil around the house. However, the most common source of exposure for children is from lead-based paint, which was used in many homes built before 1978. Adults and children can get lead into their bodies by breathing in lead dust (especially during activities such as renovations, repairs, or painting) or by swallowing lead dust that settles in food, food preparation surfaces, floors, windowsills, eating paint chips, soil that contains lead, or other places.

62% of housing units in Central District were built before 1980, but only 28% of children less than six years of age have been tested for lead. Central District Health Department has been awarded $1,129,888 in Lead Hazard Reduction Capacity Building Grant funds to implement a 36-month grant program. First, the program plans to maximize the number of children under the age of six years who are identified as at-risk and/or have actual lead exposure; and secondly, to build a local sustainable system to safely and effectively contain lead hazards during lead hazard control and renovation, remodeling and maintenance activities.

The Central District Health Department will host and participate in outreach and educational activities designed to raise local awareness about the danger of lead exposure and poisoning, educate parents and communities on how to reduce exposure to lead in the environment, prevent its serious health effects, and learn about the importance of testing children for lead.

Elementary schools in the Central District were invited to participate in the Lead Awareness Poster Contest hosted by CDHD. Posters were picked up on October 18th and are on display within the health department! Staff voted on the posters, and winners received an Amazon gift card. Winners selected include: First place: Elliet Todd, Second place: Ariana Allen, Third place: Jolie Verba. Thank you to the schools and families for participating and building awareness to lead poisoning prevention.