LEAD POISONING IS PREVENTABLE

Let’s Wipe Out Lead Poisoning - Renovate Right

Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

In recognition of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW), October 19-25, the Nassau County Department of Health reminds residents that lead poisoning is one of the most preventable childhood health problems. The major source of lead exposure among U.S. children is lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust found in deteriorating buildings. This year’s NLPPW theme, “Let’s Wipe Out Lead Poisoning – Renovate Right,” underscores the importance of preventing lead exposure through lead-safe work practices to prevent lead poisoning. This year’s theme also highlights the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s new rule for contractors who conduct renovations, repairs and painting activities. (www.epa.gov/lead/)

Sources of Lead

Lead paint is found in homes built before 1978. Even if your home has been repainted, repeated rubbing of one painted surface against another (such as opening and closing windows) could expose old, lead-based paint in your home.  Worn, cracked or peeling lead-based paint may cause lead poisoning, especially in children. Additional sources of lead include various imported goods, such as toys, Mexican candy, traditional ceramics, and children’s jewelry. In addition lead may be found in folk remedies, ground soil and some drinking water.

Lead Levels

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly a quarter of a million children living in the U.S. have blood lead levels high enough to cause significant damage to their health. Even small amounts of lead can harm a child's developing nervous system and may result in behavior problems, learning disorders, poor school performance, lower I.Q., hearing loss, anemia, kidney damage or growth retardation.

By law in New York State, children must be tested for lead exposure at ages one and two and assessed annually until age six by their health care providers. Additionally, children entering day care or nursery school must show proof of having had a blood lead test.

In 2007, the Nassau County Department of Health received reports of 30,478 blood lead tests from Nassau County children and 1% of these were elevated blood lead levels >10 ug/dl (micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood.) One child had very severe lead poisoning and needed to be hospitalized for special treatment.

Nassau County Department of Health

The Department of Health provides case management services to parents of all children with elevated blood lead levels and inspects their homes to identify the cause of the lead poisoning. The department also provides educational, preventive and nutritional counseling about childhood lead poisoning.  The department supervises safe removal and abatement of lead hazards and takes enforcement action, when necessary, to ensure hazards are abated.