Friday, May 10, 2024 | St. Lawrence County, NY
To increase awareness of childhood lead poisoning prevention, the St. Lawrence County Public Health Department along with U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, …
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To increase awareness of childhood lead poisoning prevention, the St. Lawrence County Public Health Department along with U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is participating in what they are calling "National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week," Oct. 25 to 31.
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 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 U.S. 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. Renovations, repairs and painting projects can easily create dangerous lead dust. To protect your family and home, set up safely, control the dust and clean up completely, the county Health Department warns.
This year's NLPPW theme, "Lead-Free Kids for a Healthy Future," underscores the importance of testing your home, testing your child, and learning how to prevent lead poisoning’s serious health effects.
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:
• Get your child tested at age one and again at age two. Even if your young children seem healthy, ask your doctor to test them for lead.
• Get your home tested. Before you buy an older home, ask for a lead inspection.
• Get the facts. The health department can provide helpful information about preventing childhood lead poisoning. Contact them at 386-2325.
For more information, go to St. Lawrence County Public Health web site at www.co.st-lawrence.ny.us/Departments/PublicHealth/ or call 1-800-424-LEAD.
