WOODSTOCK IL – To increase awareness of childhood lead poisoning prevention, McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH), along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is participating in National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, October 20–26. This year's theme, "Lead-Free Kids for a Healthy Future," underscores the importance of testing your home, your child, and learning how to prevent lead poisoning’s serious health effects. Learn more at http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/ACCLPP/blood_lead_levels.htm.
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 or remodel a home built before 1978, ask for a lead inspection.
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2. Get your child screened – even if your young children seem healthy, ask your doctor about a lead risk assessment to determine possible lead exposure. A blood lead test may be performed if your child is determined to be at risk. CDC recommends screening children younger than 6 years of age (preferably by ages 1 and 2).
3. Get the facts – MCDH can provide you with helpful information about preventing childhood lead poisoning. Call 815-334-4500.
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Childhood lead poisoning is considered the most preventable environmental disease among young children. The CDC estimates nearly half a million children living in the United States have elevated blood lead levels that may cause significant damage to their health. Major sources of lead exposure to U.S. children include lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust in older buildings and during renovation. Children can also be exposed to lead from additional sources including contaminated drinking water, take-home exposures from a workplace, and lead in soil.
For more information on the lead program, visit http://www.idph.state.il.us/illinoislead/. Get the latest news from MCDH at www.mcdh.info, on Facebook and Twitter www.twitter.com/mchenrycohealth.
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“Working to prevent disease and promote health and safety for all people of McHenry County since 1966.”
