The Henry and Stark County Health Department and First Choice Healthcare note October 25th-31st has been designated National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. The Health Department joins with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), the US Environmental Protection Agency, and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to increase awareness of childhood lead poisoning prevention.
This year's theme for National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, "Lead-Free Kids for a Healthy Future," underscores the importance of testing your home, testing your child, and learning how to prevent lead poisoning's serious health effects.
Health Department officials note, "Nearly half a million children living in the United States have elevated blood lead levels that may cause significant damage to their health."
They add, "Illinois identified more than 8,300 children with confirmed blood lead levels greater than the intervention level recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC. The major sources of this lead exposure to children included lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust in deteriorating buildings. Children can also be exposed to lead from additional sources including drinking water, take-home exposures from a workplace, and lead in soil."
Lead poisoning is a preventable condition that can affect a child's ability to learn and develop normally. Parents can reduce a child's exposure to lead in many ways. Here are some simple things you can do to help protect your family:
1) Get your home tested. Before you buy an older home, ask for a lead inspection.
2) Get your child tested. Even if your young children seem healthy, get them tested for lead.
3) Get the facts. Your Health Department can provide you with helpful information about preventing childhood lead poisoning.
The easiest way to make sure your child is safe is by having them tested for lead poisoning at their doctor's office or the local health department by a simple finger stick. Most children do not show any symptoms of poisoning, so testing is crucial. Testing at ages one and two and treating the child as early as possible is the best way to prevent any developmental problems.
For more information regarding lead poisoning, call the National Lead Information Clearinghouse at 1-800-424-LEAD. To schedule a blood lead test at the Health Department's First Choice Healthcare locations in Kewanee 309-852-5272; or Toulon 309-852-3115. You may also get more information Liking Us on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments or Follow Us On Twitter and Instagram.