National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

October 24-30, 2021

What is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW)

NLPPW is intended to spread awareness about the dangers of lead poisoning and reduce the frequency of childhood exposure to lead. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and additional partners work to heighten awareness of lead poisoning, provide resources, and encourage preventive actions during NLPPW and beyond.

What is Lead Poisoning

Lead poisoning occurs when lead enters the bloodstream and builds up to toxic levels. Many different factors such as the source of exposure, length of exposure, and underlying susceptibility (e.g., child’s age, nutritional status, and genetics) affect how the body handles foreign substances.

The Facts

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), About 3.3 MILLION American households, including 2.1 MILLION low-income households, have children under 6 YEARS of age who live in homes with lead exposure hazards. Even relatively low levels of lead exposure can impair a child’s cognitive development. Children with blood lead levels can experience delayed growth and development, damage to the brain and nervous system, learning and behavior problems, and a host of other health-related problems. Public health actions are needed for these children. There is no safe blood lead level in children.

When absorbed into the body, it can result in damage to the brain and nervous system, learning and behavior problems, slow growth and development, and hearing and speech problems.

The key is preventing children from coming into contact with lead.

The most common source of exposure is lead-based paint, which was used in many homes built before 1978. Children can be exposed by swallowing or breathing in lead dust created by old paint that has cracked and chipped, eating paint chips, or chewing on surfaces coated with lead-based paint, such as window sills.

There are simple steps that can be taken to protect family members from lead-based paint hazards in the home, such as regularly cleaning the home, washing children’s hands and toys often, and wiping shoes before entering the home.
If you live in a home built before 1978, a certified inspector or risk assessor can be hired to check your home for lead-based paint or lead hazards. If renting, ask your landlord to have your home or apartment tested.
Lead can also be found in drinking water. The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures.

Lead from paint, paint chips, and dust can pose serious health hazards particularly to children and pregnant women.

Breathing in lead dust (especially during activities such as renovations, repairs, or painting)
Swallowing lead dust that settles on food, food preparation surfaces, floors, window sills, and other places
Eating paint chips or soil that contains lead

From low-income families
Living with adults whose jobs or hobbies involve working with lead
Members of racial-ethnic minority groups
Recent immigrants
Living in poorly maintained rental homes or apartments built before 1978

Lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures.

Metal toys, wooden toys, or furniture painted with lead-based paint, some metal-containing jewelry, and lead-glazed pottery or porcelain, some candies, spices, or make-up. Lead may also be brought into the home on work clothes, shoes, and hair.

Get Your Home Tested

If your home was built before 1978, you can get it tested for lead-based paint by:

A lead-based paint inspection that tells you if your home has lead-based paint and where it is located.
A lead risk assessment that tells you if your home currently has any lead hazards from lead in paint, dust, or soil, and what actions to take to address those hazards.
A combination inspection and risk assessment that tells you if your home has any lead-based paint or lead hazards and where both are located.
If you rent, ask your landlord to have your home or apartment tested.
To find out for certain if you have lead in your drinking water, have your water tested. Contact your local health department or water company to find out about testing your water, or visit epa.gov/safewater for EPA’s lead in drinking water information.

Get Your Child Tested

Act early to get your child tested for lead.

Children’s blood lead levels tend to increase from 6 to 12 months of age and tend to peak at 18 to 24 months of age. A simple blood test can detect lead. Consult your healthcare provider for advice on blood lead testing.

Blood lead tests are required for:

Children at ages 12 and 24 months who receive Medicaid

Blood lead tests are recommended for:

Children at ages 12 and 24 months living in high-risk areas or who belong to high-risk populations
Children or other family members who have been exposed to high levels of lead
Children who should be tested under your state or local health screening plan
Pregnant women who think they may have been exposed to lead. Talk to your healthcare provider about getting a blood lead test

Lead Paint Assistance in the City of Richmond:

The State of Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development was awarded a Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control grant in 2020. If you live in the City Of Richmond or own rental property in the City Of Richmond and want assistance with remediation of lead-based paint in your property please contact Susan Hill at susan.hill@dhcd.virginia.gov or 804-371-0671.

To view the Lead-Safe housing registry 7-01-21, click here.