National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is Oct. 22-28
Lead poisoning can be prevented. And to help with this effort, the Health Department of Northwest Michigan (HDNW) and Northern Michigan Public Health Alliance are promoting National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week to highlight the importance of lead poisoning prevention—especially in children.
Most children with lead in their blood have no obvious symptoms. Call HDNW’s scheduling staff at 800-432-4121 or your child’s healthcare provider about getting a blood lead test. It’s recommended that children get tested when they are between 12 and 24 months of age. Adults who wish to be tested should speak with their primary care provider.
A blood test is the best way to determine if someone has been exposed to lead. The amount of lead in blood is referred to as the blood lead level, which is measured in micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood.
The 2023 observance of National Lead Poisoning Prevent Week’s theme is “Together, we can prevent lead exposure!” Here are three steps we can take to help prevent lead poisoning:
- Get the Facts
- Get Your Home Tested (financial assistance may be available)
- Get Your Child Tested (schedule locally at 800-432-4121)
Residents may have their blood lead level tested at any HDNW clinic. If the lead level is found to be high, residents can partner with local and state experts to identify the source of the lead, stop the lead exposure, and determine any other tests or follow-up that might be needed.
“Lead can be found outside and inside the house, but good news, lead poisoning is 100% preventable,” says Jeremy Fruk, HDNW Director of Environmental Health. “The best way to protect yourself and your family is to learn the facts, test your house if it was built before 1978, and follow the lead testing guidelines for children and pregnancy.”
Protecting children from exposure to lead is important to lifelong good health. There is no safe blood lead level in children. Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect learning, the ability to pay attention, and academic achievement. While the effects of lead exposure may be permanent, if caught early, parents can take steps to prevent further exposure and reduce the negative impact to their child’s health.
For more information, watch this three-minute video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPePSbzV_kg.
