National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

Lead poisoning is entirely preventable, and the Norwalk Health Department is working to help families learn their lead status and keep kids safe. This week, the Health Department joins state and federal health officials for National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW), October 21-27, to raise awareness about this issue. This year’s 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.

Hundreds of thousands of children in the United States experience elevated blood lead levels, which can lead to behavior and learning problems (such as hyperactivity), slowed growth, hearing problems, and aggressive patterns of behavior. According to a report from the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH), in 2016, the vast majority of lead poisoning cases in Connecticut (80.2%) were caused by exposure to lead paint.

The Health Department recognizes NLPPW this week, but we also work year-round to help fight lead poisoning. Our trained and certified staff conduct investigations and inspections, and we educate the community about preventing lead poisoning, especially in children 6 years old and younger. We also work closely with families whose children have elevated lead levels, including 20 new cases in the past year. The Health Department visited all of these children’s homes and provided prevention education to families. This outreach often includes lead safety recommendations, cleaning tips to minimize lead dust and paint exposure, information about work-related exposure, nutrition education, and helping to identify other possible sources of exposure.

After the initial visits and education for new cases, we continue to work with all our families until the child’s lead level is within the normal range, which can take some time. At any one time, the Health Department is working with approximately 65 children and families in the Norwalk area until their levels decline. These rates—of both new and ongoing cases—are lower than other larger Connecticut cities but consistent with the overall state average. 

Keeping a child away from lead in paint, lead dust, and other sources is the best way to prevent the harmful effects of lead. To help protect your child from lead poisoning, know the lead status of your child, your home, and your work.

 

Your Child

Get your child tested. In Connecticut, pediatricians are required to test all young children’s blood lead level. Most doctors do the test during the 1-year and 2-year well child visits. Ask your doctor whether your child has been tested, what their levels are, and what to do if your child has an elevated level. If you are worried that your child might have been exposed to lead at any age, get your child tested.

 

Your Home

Homes built before 1978 likely contain lead paint. Children can be exposed to lead if paint is chipping, peeling, or damaged. If you live in an older home, it is important to keep painted surfaces in good condition. Clean surfaces carefully and repair any chipping, peeling, or damaged paint.

Get your home tested for lead before you do any renovation work, including painting, and/or hire a lead-certified professional to do the work. Also, before you buy an older home, ask for a lead inspection.

Visit www.norwalkct.org/lead or this tip sheet from the Connecticut Department of Public Health (en espanol) for more information about reducing lead dust in your home.

 

Your Job

If you are a painter or construction worker working in older homes, you could accidentally bring lead dust home with you on your clothes or equipment and expose your children. Fortunately, you can take some precautions to reduce exposure. Read this tip sheet from the Health Department to learn more (en espanol).

For more information about lead poisoning prevention, stop by the Health Department lobby this week to see our display, follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/norwalkhealth), or visit our website (www.norwalkct.org/lead) any time. If you have questions, contact the Health Department at (203) 854-7776; the Connecticut Department of Public Health Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Program at (860) 509-7299 and www.ct.gov/dph/lead; or the National Lead Information Center at (800) 424-LEAD.

About the Norwalk Health Department: Under the direction of the mayor, and with valuable guidance from its six-member Board of Health, the Norwalk Health Department provides a variety of services and programs to fulfill its mission: to prevent and control the spread of disease, promote a healthy environment, and protect the quality of life within its changing community. The Health Department achieved accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) in June 2014, demonstrating that it meets or exceeds national public health standards and commits to continuously improve the quality of the services it delivers. More information is available at www.norwalkhealth.com.

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Submitted by Norwalk, CT

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