East Hartford Health Department Raising Awareness About Risks and Dangers of Lead Poisoning

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is October 22 - 28, 2017
Posted on: October 25, 2017 - 11:16am
National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

East Hartford Department of Health and Social Services is joining the Centers for Disease Control, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, and state and local health departments across the country in marking National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, October 22 through 28. This year's NLPPW theme, "Lead-Free Kids for a Healthy Future," underscores the importance of testing your home, testing your child, learning about drinking water, and learning how to prevent lead poisoning’s serious health effects.

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 (CDC). The estimate is based on children with a blood lead level of 5 micrograms per deciliter or higher using data from national surveys conducted in 2007-2008 and 2009-2010. Major sources of lead exposure to 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.

Despite the continued presence of lead in the environment, lead poisoning is entirely preventable. Parents can do several simple things to help protect their family:

  1. Get Your Home Tested. Before you buy an older home, ask for a lead inspection.
  2. Get Your Child Tested. Even if your young children seem healthy, ask your doctor to test them for lead.
  3. Learn About Drinking Water. Water pipes in some older homes may contain lead solder where lead may leach out into the water. Learn more about lead in drinking water at the CDC Website: https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/leadinwater/default.htm
  4. Know the Facts. Your local health department can provide you with helpful information about preventing childhood lead poisoning. Contact them at (860)291-7324.

During NLPPW East Hartford Health Department’s sanitarians will encourage homeowners and landlords to use lead safe work practices when working on properties built prior to 1978, and encourage parents to be proactive and have their child, six years old or younger, tested for lead.  For more information, contact East Hartford Department of Health and Human Services at (860) 291-7324, or call 1-800-424-LEAD.