LEAD POISONING PREVENTION WEEK, OCTOBER 20-26, 2013

PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN:

Publish Date: October 21, 2013

Branford, CT- The dangers of lead can cause serious health problems and brain damage to children. Children under the age of 6 are most at risk for lead poisoning. To increase awareness of childhood lead poisoning prevention, the East Shore District 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 (NLPPW) October 20-26. This year’s National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week theme is “Lead Free Kids for a Healthy Future.” This year’s lead prevention theme encourages the importance of testing your home, testing your child, and learning how to prevent lead poisoning.

Major places where lead can harm children are from lead-based paint and lead-poisoned dust in older buildings. Was your house painted before 1978? Lead paint can be found in doors, door frames, fences, floors, furniture, porches, stairs, toys, railings, walls, window wells, window sills, and woodwork. Protect your family from lead exposure by covering small areas of paint with contact paper. Avoid using windows that are in poor condition. If you are remodeling your home renovate right with lead-safe work practices.

Children can also get lead poison from other places like drinking water. The water can become contaminated by lead water pipes, plumbing fittings made out of brass and bronze, and lead solder used to connect plumbing. One temporary solution to protect your children would be to only use cold water for drinking, cooking, and making formula. The water should run for 1-2 minutes before using.  

Occupations can cause lead exposure for adults and children. Some jobs that may include lead exposure are: painters, smelters, mechanics, remodelers, lead refiners, construction workers, and battery manufacturing/recycling workers. Children can be exposed to lead when you bring dust home on your clothing as well as bringing scrap and waste material home. People working in the above occupations should take precautions by putting your work clothes in a sealed plastic bag or wearing protective clothing and showering before you leave the work area.

Today, childhood lead poisoning is the most preventable environmental disease among young children. However, half a million children of the United States have blood lead levels above 5 micrograms per deciliter. A simple blood test can tell if your child has lead poison.  

Parents can reduce a child’s exposure to lead in many ways. Here are some simple things you can do to help protect your family:

1. Get your Home Tested. Before you buy an older home, ask for a lead inspection.

2. Get your Child Tested- It is required by the State of Connecticut to get your child tested for lead. Talk to your child’s doctor.

3. Get the Facts! Your local health department can provide you with helpful information about preventing childhood lead poisoning. -Kim Testa

For more information, contact:

East Shore Health Department (203) 481-4233 www.esdhd.org

Connecticut Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Call (860) 509-7299 or visit www.dph.state.ct.us

Call 1-800-424-LEAD or visit www.cdc.gov