Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
Kansas children continue to be at risk for lead poisoning. The good news is that lead poisoning can be prevented. The only way to know if a child has lead poisoning is to have them tested. There is no safe blood lead level for children.
The Lead Contamination Control Act of 1988 authorized the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to initiate program efforts to eliminate childhood lead poisoning in the United States. The Kansas Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program is funded through a cooperative agreement between the CDC and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
What is Childhood Blood Lead Poisoning?
Lead poisoning is a preventable pediatric health problem affecting Kansas’ children. Lead is a toxic metal that produces many adverse health effects. It is persistent and cumulative. Childhood lead poisoning occurs in all population groups and income brackets.
Children under the age of 6 years old are at a greater risk for lead poisoning. This is because they are growing rapidly and tend to have behaviors that increase the potential for exposure to lead sources. They are also more susceptible to lead poisoning health effects. No safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect IQ, delay development, cause behavioral problems, and cause other serious health effects. Lead has no smell and is difficult to identify. Most children that have lead poisoning do not demonstrate any obvious symptoms.
Health Affects of Lead Poisoning
Lead poisoning can be difficult to recognize and can damage the central nervous system, brain, kidneys, and reproductive system. When lead is present in the blood it travels through every organ in the body. Lead interferes with the development of the brain. When lead enters the blood stream it collects in soft tissues of the body and it also settles in the bones and teeth, where it is stored for many years.
Lead particles can be ingested or inhaled posing serious threats to human health. In adults, the primary cause of lead poisoning is due to inhalation of lead dust. Lead enters the bloodstream and is distributed throughout the body. Symptoms of lead poisoning vary depending on the blood lead level. Low levels of exposure to lead can cause memory and concentration problems, muscle and joint pain, and can affect nervous system function. Other symptoms may include headache, lack of appetite, vomiting, fatigue, anemia, stomachache, or constipation. High levels of lead exposure have been associated with seizures, nerve disorders, digestive problems and in extreme cases, death. It is important to remember that many individuals show no outward signs of lead poisoning. An individual may have an elevated blood lead level even if they appear healthy and show no signs of lead poisoning.
Lead Poisoning Prevention
The most important way to prevent lead poisoning is to stop children from being exposed to any sources of lead. Lead hazards in a child's environment must be identified and controlled or removed safely. Lead-based paint and lead contaminated dust are the most hazardous sources of lead for children. It becomes especially problematic when it deteriorates. Lead-based paints can be found in most homes built before 1950 and many homes built before 1978. Renovation or maintenance projects can create a hazard when dust settles on toys, walls, floors, tables, carpets, or fingers. It is important when renovating a home that a lead-safe certified contractor is utilized.
Lead-based paint is not the only source of lead that children are exposed to. Some examples of other sources of lead exposure are contaminated soil, leaded gasoline, solder, imported items, and old toys.
Parents whose hobby or occupation involves working with or around lead can unknowingly bring lead dust home. Individuals should avoid “take-home” exposures by utilizing personal protection and hygiene after leaving the workplace. Wash your hands after working in the yard. Wash children’s hands and faces after playing outside. Wash all fruits and vegetables before consuming them. Remove shoes before entering your home, and clean dust and tracked-in soil.
Lead in Products:
Visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission's website to stay up to date on recalls regarding products that may contain lead.
What To Do If You Suspect a Child Has Lead Poisoning
Early identification and treatment of lead poisoning reduces the risk that children will suffer permanent damage. A blood lead test is the only way to tell if a child has an elevated blood level. Be sure to take your child for a blood test to measure his or her blood-lead level. Every child ranging from 9 months to a year old should have a quick and easy test done if they are at risk for lead exposure or live in a high risk zip code area. The test can be done at your doctor’s office or at your local health department. Many health insurers cover the cost of this test. Children who are covered by Medicaid are also eligible for free screening and required by Kansas law to obtain a lead screening.
Surveillance
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment conducts blood lead surveillance for the state of Kansas. Surveillance activities are provided through a partnership with local health departments and other entities involved in the testing, reporting, monitoring and management of blood lead. Blood lead data for Kansas is compiled and made available through the Kansas Environmental Public Health Tracking Program.
Contact Information
Education and Downloadable Materials
The Kansas Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program is dedicated to increasing awareness and providing education about childhood lead poisoning and prevention. The program works with others to accomplish our goal of reducing childhood lead poisoning. We would like to work with you or your organization to increase lead poisoning prevention awareness. The program can provide educational and outreach materials, in-person presentations, and speak at events. If you are interested in learning more, please contact the Lead program at kdhe.leadlabreporting@ks.gov .
Hunter and Scout's Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
This program focuses on education on lead poisoning for children and is designed to empower teachers, parents, and other caregivers to teach children effective prevention measures. This program also includes a fun video hosted by Hunter and Scout.
Click here to visit the page for more information and to sign up.
Healthy Happy Lead Free Me Children's Book
A new resource for lead poisoning prevention has been recently released as a children’s board book Happy, Healthy, Lead-Free Me! is available to order in multiple languages by the case/40 books. Information is available here.
For orders and questions on purchasing, quotes, invoicing, or vendor approval process email: info@cribsforkids.org
Happy Reading! Click on the image below to get a digital download.
