Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention
Protecting children from exposure to lead is important to lifelong good health. There is no safe blood lead level in children. Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect learning, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement. The most important step that parents and caregivers, healthcare providers, and public health professionals can take is to prevent lead exposure before it occurs.
- Care Coordination for children with elevated blood lead levels including:
- Medical case management
- Evaluation of all lead test results completed in Saratoga County
- Education for parents/guardians of children with elevated blood lead levels
- Home visits and referrals based on blood lead levels
- Provide information on current CDC and New York State guidance for medical evaluation and follow up
- Environmental Assessment
- Check properties where a child with an elevated blood lead level lives and/or frequently visits
- Notify parents/guardians and property owners of lead hazards found at the property
- Provide information and oversight of lead abatement plans
- Follow-up visits to ensure compliance and act as an enforcement agent on non-compliance
- Provide leadership and coordination of lead activities in the community and work with the following organizations to promote the safety of children regarding exposure to lead:
- New York State Department of Health Lead Poisoning Prevention Programs
- Regional Lead Resource Centers
- Local Head Start Programs
- Local School Systems
- Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Local Primary Care Providers and Pediatricians
- Offer lead testing for children under age 6 years old who require a test but cannot obtain one due to lack of health insurance coverage.
- Provide information about lead exposure, ways to reduce exposure, medical treatment, and legislation.
The main way most young children are exposed to harmful levels of lead is through contact with lead contaminated paint and dust in older homes. It enters a child’s body most often by ingestion, absorption, or inhalation.
Other sources of lead:
- Soil
- Imported candies or foods
- The workplace and hobbies
- Imported food in cans
- Lead-glazed ceramics, china, leaded crystal glassware
- Metal Jewelry
- Mini-blinds
- Folk medicines, ayurvedics and cosmetics
- Other sources of lead such as car batteries, radiators, some inks
- If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor about a blood lead screening test
- Ask your doctor about having a blood lead screening test for your child
- Be aware of ways you and your child can be exposed to lead, and prevent exposure
- If you live in a home built before 1978, consider having your home tested for lead
- Wash away lead dust
- Wash children’s hands or toys often – even if they don’t look dirty – to remove lead dust
- Mop floors often and use damp cloths to clean windowsills
To help block the storage of lead in your child’s body, serve your family meals that are low in fat and high in calcium, iron, and vitamin C such as: milk, yogurt, cheese, salmon, spinach, collard greens, chicken, lean red meat, eggs, lentils, raisins, tuna fish, beans, broccoli, spinach, oranges, strawberries, kiwi, peppers, and tomatoes.
Lead particles can also cross the placental barrier in pregnant women and can be passed from mother to infant through breast milk. Speak to your OB-GYN if you’ve had a lead exposure to be tested for lead poisoning.
Regulations set by New York State have required that all school districts test their potable water sources by October 31, 2016. These tests were completed in Saratoga County; if levels were found to be elevated, repeat testing was required. All water testing results should be available on each school district’s website; if you have further questions, please contact the Saratoga County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Coordinator at 518-584-7460 ext. 8362.
For more information, contact the Saratoga County Department of Health at (518) 584-7460, email us at en***********@sa**************.gov, or visit the NYS Department of Health Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention page.
Resources
• EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule
• The Lead-Safe Certified Guide to Renovate Right
• EPA Certified Renovation Firms
• CDC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention