It’s National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week
Every year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) partner to raise awareness about the risks of lead poisoning during National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (October 23-29 this year). This year’s theme, “Get the Facts, Get Your Home Tested, and Get Your Child Tested,” is intended to help reduce childhood exposure to lead.
According to the CDC, protecting children from exposure to lead is important for lifelong good health. No safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect learning, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement. While the effects of lead exposure may be permanent, if caught early there are things parents can do to prevent further exposure and reduce damage to their child’s health. Please visit Five things you can do to help lower your child’s lead level. (cdc.gov) to learn more.
What is lead poisoning?
- According to the CDC, an individual (child or adult) is consider exposed to lead when their blood lead level is 3.5 micrograms per deciliter or higher
What are lead-based paint hazards?
- Dust from peeling lead-based paint
- Peeling or damaged lead-based paint
How do you get lead poisoned?
- By ingesting lead dust
- By inhaling lead particles
Who is at highest risk of lead poisoning?
- Children under 6 years of age
- Can damage the brain and central nervous system
- Can cause learning and behavioral difficulties
- Damage is irreversible in children
- Pregnant women
- Miscarriages
- Premature births
- Low birth weights
- Workers who work in lead-related fields
- High blood pressure
- Digestive problems
- Poor sex drive
NYCHA’s Environmental Health and Safety Department (EHS) encourages residents to report peeling, cracked, or loose paint to NYCHA by calling the Customer Contact Center (CCC) at 718-707-7771 or using the MyNYCHA app (www.nyc.gov/mynycha).
Remind your doctor to test your child for lead poisoning at ages 1 and 2. Ask your doctor about testing older children if you think they may have been exposed to lead. Pregnant women should be assessed for lead exposure at their first prenatal visit.
For more information about lead, please visit:
