Bright futures begin lead-free: HHS highlights National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is raising awareness about lead during National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week from Oct. 20 to26. This year’s theme is “Bright futures begin lead-free.”

Lead poisoning is preventable, and prevention starts with screening.

Get the Facts

Young children are at highest risk of lead poisoning. Children younger than six-years-old are the most vulnerable to effects of lead exposure.

Older buildings are more likely to have lead-based paint. In North Dakota, over 50% of houses were built before 1978, the year lead-based paint was banned. Lead is known to have a sweet flavor. Children can be exposed to lead through peeling or damaged paint, lead-based paint dust, or by chewing on surfaces coated with lead-based paint, such as windowsills and door edges. Young children grow rapidly and tend to put their hands or other objects in their mouths, increasing risk of exposure.

Other common sources of lead in the environment include contaminated soil, drinking water from lead pipes and plumbing, some imported spices, some foreign-made products, and artificial turf and playgrounds made from some recycled materials. Individuals may accidentally bring lead contaminants into the home due to exposure from hobbies or jobs.

Get Your Child Tested

Blood lead screening is required for all children enrolled in North Dakota Medicaid at ages 12 and 24 months. Additionally, any child between two and five years of age with no record of a previous blood lead screening test must receive one. Screening is included in Medicaid Health Tracks/Well-Child visits.

Lead screening can prevent lifelong harmful effects by detecting the exposure early. A child with lead poisoning may look and act healthy with no obvious symptoms. However, lead exposure, even at low levels, can cause neurological damage leading to learning issues, behavioral problems and lowered IQ.

There are two types of blood lead tests: capillary and venous. One uses a small blood sample from a finger or heel prick (capillary test), giving fast results. However, if there is lead on the child’s hands, this test might show higher lead levels. If a child’s lead level is high, a second test (venous test) can confirm the results by taking a small blood sample from the arm.

For details on testing, visit www.cdc.gov/lead-prevention/testing/index.html.

Prevent Lead Exposure

There are ways to limit lead exposure, including frequent handwashing, washing children’s toys frequently, keeping homes clean and dust free, using cold water for cooking and drinking, eating a diet high in iron, calcium, and vitamin C and hiring certified lead professionals when doing home renovations or repairs.

For more information on lead exposure and prevention, visit hhs.nd.gov/health/lead.

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