Skip to Content
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

Featured Topics

Boys Playing

About Childhood Lead Poisoning

Lead poisoning is considered to be the most serious environmental threat to children’s health. Approximately 1 out of every 11 children between the ages of 1 and 5 years of age may have harmful levels of lead in their blood. If the problem is not detected early, the child could suffer from:  

  • decreased growth
  • learning problems
  • impaired hearing
  • behavior problems (such as hyperactivity)
  • nerve and/or brain damage

Children are more susceptible to the effects of lead, because:

  • children’s growing bodies absorb more lead
  • children’s brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead
  • children often put their hands and other objects in their mouths

Most children do not have any symptoms even if a blood test shows that they have an elevated blood lead level. If your child does have symptoms, they may be mistaken for the flu or other illnesses. If symptoms occur, they might be:

  • stomach ache and cramps
  • irritability
  • fatigue
  • frequent vomiting
  • constipation
  • headache
  • sleep disorders
  • poor appetite

Have your child tested and learn the ways to protect your family from lead.  Childhood lead poisoning is preventable.

Hotlines

  • EPA Region 4 (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN). Information on regulations and lead protection programs: 1-404-347-4727
  • EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline Information about lead in drinking water: 1-800-426-4791
  • Consumer Product Safety Commission Hotline. Request information on lead in consumer products, or report an unsafe consumer product: 1-800-638-2772 or 1-800-638-8270(hearing impaired).

State Contacts

Contact your local county health department for lead poisoning information.

  1. State Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program:
    425 5th Avenue North
    Cordell Hull Building, 5th floor
    Nashville, TN  37247-4701
    Phone:  (615) 741-0355 
  2. Tennessee Certified Lead Based Paint Firms, Certification Process and Lead-Based
    Paint Pre-Renovation Education Rule:
    Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
    Lead Based Paint Abatement Program
    5th Floor, L & C Tower
    401 Church Street
    Nashville, TN  37243-1535
    Lead Line:  1-888-771-LEAD (5323)
    Local:  (615) 532-LEAD (5323)