Lead poisoning is a silent and sometimes deadly disease. It’s also one of the most common environmental illnesses in California children.
More than 1,000 children and young adults under the age of 21 in San Diego County had elevated blood lead levels in 2012, according to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch.
That’s why preventing childhood lead poisoning is so important and the County of San Diego is launching a “Prevent Childhood Lead Poisoning: Learn Where Lead Can Be” campaign to raise awareness during California Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week Oct. 25-31.
“We want to remind parents that lead poisoning can be detrimental to young children’s health and development and it’s important that they ask their child’s doctor about lead testing,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., San Diego County public health officer. “A blood test is the only way to identify and confirm lead poisoning in children.”
Most children who have lead poisoning do not act or look sick, and the exposure frequently goes unrecognized. If they have any symptoms, they may be easily confused with common childhood complaints such as stomachaches, crankiness, headaches or loss of appetite, according to CDPH. Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect IQ, the ability to pay attention and academic achievement.
Children can be exposed to lead by ingesting lead-contaminated dust, paint chips from deteriorating lead-based paint, and lead-contaminated soil.
Other sources of lead poisoning are:
- lead dust carried home on parents’ work clothes
- certain imported ceramic pottery
- painted objects
- traditional home remedies
- imported candies and food products
- additionally, adults who work in jobs or hobbies that involve lead products such as soldering, making stained glass, and handling bullets or fishing sinkers can put children at risk by bringing lead dust home on their clothes
The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program will have information displays at all County Regional Public Health Centers as part of the campaign. They will also be making presentations to healthcare providers and community groups and raising awareness through HHSA’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.
For more detailed information regarding the campaign or to request materials or a presentation, please visit www.sdlead.org or call 619-692-8487.
