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Section
Lead & Healthy Homes Division
Overview
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Nearly half a million children living in the United States have elevated blood lead levels that may cause significant damage to their health.” Using data from national surveys conducted in 2007-2008 and 2009-2010, this estimate is based on children with a blood lead level of 5 micrograms per deciliter or higher. Major sources of lead exposure to U.S. children include lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust in deteriorating residential buildings. These can be homes that children live in or regularly visit, like a childcare center. Children can also be exposed to lead from additional sources, including contaminated drinking water, take-home exposure from a parent or guardian’s workplace, and lead in soil.
The Lead and Healthy Homes Division (LHHD) works to reduce the incidence of childhood lead poisoning in Indiana. This is being accomplished through screening for lead poisoned children, treatment of children who are lead poisoned, follow-up case management, and the remediation of the environmental causes of the disease. Establishment of the Lead-based Paint Program provides professionals specialized in the complete removal of lead paint from residences. The LHHD works to educate the public about the risks of lead poisoning and effective prevention techniques.
The LHHD also helps to educate on other Healthy Homes issues such as radon and asbestos. Since we spend so much time at home, it is important that our home is a safe environment to eat, play, and raise our families. The 8 Principles of a Healthy Home is used to address concerns about the link between health issues and housing. The principles focus on creating a home environment without pests, contaminants, allergens, and injury hazards that can lead to health problems. After removing these things, regular maintenance is needed to keep those hazards away and keep residents healthy.
Lead Recalls
To see recent product recalls related to lead, visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website : https://www.cpsc.gov/
Lead Protection Program Homeowners/Renters Application
The Lead Protection Program is a partnership between the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) that offers homeowners/renters opportunities for FREE services to help test and eliminate lead-based paint hazards from their home. Homeowners/renters in a variety of locations around the state are eligible. Those locations include residents living in the cities of East Chicago and South Bend, as well as Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fayette, Fountain, Grant, Hancock, Henry, Montgomery, Parke, Rush, Tippecanoe, Vermillion, Wayne, and White counties. More information about the program and the application can be found here and here.