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Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

Get the Facts on Childhood Lead Poisoning

  • An estimated 900,000 children between one and five years of age have an elevated blood lead level.
  • Blood lead levels in children as low as 10µg/dL can be associated with reading and learning disabilities, impaired hearing, damaged red blood cell production, hyperactivity, and behavioral problems.
  • People can get lead poisoning from eating lead contaminated soil or paint chips containing lead, and by breathing or swallowing lead dust
  • Kids with lead poisoning don’t always act or look sick.
  • Many homes built before 1978 will have lead-based paint.  The older the home, the more likely it has lead-based paint.
  • Just because your home has lead-based paint does not mean it is a hazard.
  • Immediate attention is required for peeling, chipping, chalking, or cracking of lead-based paint. Areas that see a lot of wear and tear and contain lead-based paint may also be problem (window and window sills, doors and door frames, stairs, railings, and banisters, porches and fences).
  • Removing lead improperly can increase the hazard to your family.
  • Paint, dust and soil are the most common sources of lead hazards. However, lead can be found in many other areas such as water, toys, folk remedies, furniture, work places, hobby supplies, lead crystal, lead glazed pottery or porcelain, or in the air.
  • You can reduce the risks of lead poisoning by making sure your child eats a well balanced diet.
  • Knowing the facts about lead can help you prevent or reduce your child’s exposure.

For additional facts on Childhood Lead Poisoning, click here.