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October 24-30 is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

Posted on: October 27, 2021 - 1:54pm
Lead Prevention

October 24-30 is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week!

The East Hartford Health Department and The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) would like to remind residents to test young children for lead levels in their blood and be aware of possible exposure to lead poisoning in the home. October 20-26 is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW). NLPPW is dedicated to actions that address health effects of lead exposure and increase awareness of childhood lead poisoning prevention. Lead poisoning is preventable, despite the presence of lead in homes and the environment.

Lead paint has been banned for use in house paints in the United States since 1978. Increased awareness of the risk of lead poisoning, mandatory childhood screening, and prevention efforts have helped decrease the rate of lead poisoned children in Connecticut over the past fifteen years. Despite these gains, Connecticut’s housing stock is among the oldest in the country, and many houses still contain lead paint hazards that have the potential to poison children. This is particularly true for lower income families, many of whom live in urban communities. DPH data show that Black and Hispanic children in Connecticut are at greater risk for lead poisoning, and many efforts are being made to address this disparity.

For everyone living in a home or apartment built before 1978, it is important to understand the steps that should be taken to protect children from lead poisoning.

These steps include:

  • Get Your Child Tested. Even if your young children seem healthy, ask your doctor to test them for lead. Connecticut law requires medical providers to test each child for lead at least twice before the age of 5. This is usually conducted at the 12 and 24 month well child visit. Resources for parents can be found here.
  • Learn About Lead Paint Hazards. Flaking, cracking and chipping paint in homes built before 1978 may be a hazard. Contact our Health Department about testing paint and dust in your home for lead at (860) 291-7324. Learn what you can do to prevent lead paint hazards by visiting www.ct.gov/preventlead or www.ct.gov/plomo for Spanish speakers.
  • Understand the Facts! Our Health Department and DPH can provide you with helpful information about preventing childhood lead poisoning. Contact our sanitarians at (860) 291-7324 or DPH’s Lead Poisoning Prevention and Radon Program at (860) 509-7299.

When it comes to testing for and safely correcting lead paint hazards, homeowners and landlords are often intimidated by the cost of such projects.  Fortunately, the Connecticut Children’s Healthy Homes Program has grant funds available to offset the costs of testing, abatement, relocation, and remediation of other health hazards in the home.  A number of property owners in East Hartford have already enrolled in the program and received funds for their lead hazard reduction projects.  For more information about the program, including how to apply for funding, please visit the Healthy Homes Program website to learn more.