- It's National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week
- The state Health Department is encouraging parents to get their children tested and is educating adults on how to minimize exposure
- There is a new dashboard for adults to see where exposure is happening and how to prevent it
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Lehigh County is among six counties across the state taking part in the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, or CLPPP.
Counties who participate in CLPPP invest funding to ensure blood lead testing and reporting, enhance blood lead surveillance, and improve access to services for lead-exposed children.
The other participants include local county and municipal health departments in Allegheny, Chester, Montgomery, Luzerne and York counties.
“Lead is not natural to the human body, and even low levels in children have a lasting impact. The only way to identify exposure is by testing the blood. That is why, as a pediatrician, I urge all families to have their children tested for lead exposure, per CDC recommendations. Early identification can prevent the most serious effects, so all children can reach their full potential.”Dr. Debra Bogen, Pennsylvania's acting health secretary
This week, which was National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, the state Health Department encouraged parents across Pennsylvania to get their children tested for lead in their system.
A test for lead in the blood typically entails a pin prick to the finger or heel, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
“Lead is not natural to the human body, and even low levels in children have a lasting impact," said Dr. Debra Bogen, Acting Secretary of Health.
"The only way to identify exposure is by testing the blood. That is why, as a pediatrician, I urge all families to have their children tested for lead exposure, per CDC recommendations.
"Early identification can prevent the most serious effects, so all children can reach their full potential.”
Hazards posed by lead
Any exposure to lead can have intellectual and behavioral effects on children and health impacts on adults as well, according to health experts.
Children are most commonly exposed to lead in the home through lead-based paint, which is often found in homes built prior to 1978.
That paint can turn into dust particles and be inhaled. Other ways children can be exposed to lead are through toys, ceramics, and other products that include the substance.
A hotline has been set up to provide information on lead poisoning prevention, testing, follow-up, and local resources. That number is 1-800-440-LEAD.Pennsylvania Health Department
Adults are most often exposed on job sites. Both children and adults also can be exposed by drinking water that ran through lead pipes.
To monitor the lead levels among adults working in the state, Pennsylvania's Health Department recently launched aninteractive dashboard for the Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance program.
The program gives people an idea of where lead exposure is happening in Pennsylvania. That program also offers, in both English and Spanish, ways to minimize exposure.
A hotline has been set up by the Health Department to provide information on lead poisoning prevention, testing, follow-up, and local resources. That number is 1-800-440-LEAD.
