| Lead is a
highly toxic metal that at one time was an ingredient in many household
products, including lead-based paints manufactured before 1978. The
primary source of lead exposure among U.S. children is the lead-based
paint and lead-contaminated dust and soil found in and around old,
deteriorating buildings. Today,
childhood lead poisoning is considered to be the most preventable
environmental disease of young children, yet an estimated 434,000 U.S.
children have elevated blood lead levels. A simple blood test can
prevent a lifetime spoiled by the irreversible damage caused by lead
poisoning.
While the national goal of the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services is to eliminate childhood lead poisoning in
the United States by 2010, the goals of this year’s National Lead
Poisoning Prevention Week are
- To raise awareness about this serious health issue;
- To emphasize the importance of screening the highest risk
children younger than 6 years of age, preferably screening them by 1
to 2 years of age;
- To highlight existing childhood lead poisoning prevention
partnering efforts and to increase the establishment of new
efforts; and
- To urge people to take steps to reduce their possible
exposure to lead;
As part of National Lead Poisoning Prevention
Week, many state and communities plan to make official proclamations,
to offer free lead screening, and to conduct various education and
awareness events. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) are jointly
coordinating these activities and are offering technical assistance to
local campaigns.
For more information about National Lead Poisoning
Prevention Week activities in your area, please contact your state or
local health department. If you need contact information, you may click
here.
|
