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Lead Prevention
715.485.8500
Services Provided
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Capillary Lead Testing
for children ages 1 - 5 years on WIC program and by request for
children not on WIC
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Education on sources
of lead, prevention of lead poisoning, and safe renovation of
housing to prevent lead exposure.
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Case management
services for children with elevated blood leads, i.e., education,
referral for medical and financial assistance
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Environmental
inspections of housing of children with elevated blood leads
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What Every
Parent Should Know About
Lead Poisoning in Children |
What is the problem?
Approximately 890,000 US children aged 1-5 years have blood lead
levels greater that the CDC recommended level of 10 micrograms
of lead per deciliter of blood.
Lead poisoning can affect nearly
every system in the body. Because lead poisoning often occurs
with no obvious symptoms, it frequently goes unrecognized. Lead
poisoning can cause learning disabilities, behavioral problems,
and, at very high levels, seizures, coma and even death.
How are children exposed to
lead?
The major source of lead exposure among US children is
lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust found in
deteriorating buildings. Lead-based paints were banned for use
in housing in 1978. However, approximately 24 million housing
units in the United Stated have deteriorated leaded paint and
elevated levels of lead-contaminated house dust. More than 4
million of these dwellings are homes to one or more young
children.
Who is at risk?
Children under the age of 6 years because they are growing so
rapidly and because they tend to put their hands or other
objects into their mouths.
Can lead poisoning be
prevented?
Lead poisoning is entirely preventable. The key is stopping
children from coming into contact with lead and treating
children who have poisoned by lead.
- Lead hazards in a child's
environment must be removed
- Children who are at risk
of lead poisoning need to be tested, and, if necessary,
treated.
- For children at risk for
lead exposure, a simple blood test can prevent a lifetime
spoiled by the irreversible damage caused by lead poisoning.
What the public and parents
can do to reduce blood lead levels:
- Ask a doctor to test your
child if you are concerned about your child being exposed to
lead. Talk to your state or local health department about
testing paint and dust from your home for lead if you live
in a house or apartment built before 1978, especially if
young children live with you or visit you. Damp-mop floors,
damp-wipe surfaces, and frequently wash a child's hands,
pacifiers and toys to reduce exposure to lead. Use only cold
water from the tap for drinking, cooking and for making baby
formula. Hot water is more likely to contain higher levels
of lead, and most of the lead in household water usually
comes from the plumbing in your house, not from the local
water supply. Avoid using home remedies (such as arzacon,
greta, pay-loo-ah) and cosmetics (such as kohl, alkohl) that
contain lead.
- Take basic steps to
decrease your exposure to lead (for example, by showering
and changing clothes after finishing the task) if you
remodel buildings built before 1978 or if your work or
hobbies involve working with lead-based products.
Links
www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/
www.hud.gov/offices/lead/
www.epa.gov/lead/
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Contact person:
Gail Peterson PHN |
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