The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is participating in National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week Oct. 22-28, encouraging parents, health care providers, and government agencies to work together to prevent childhood lead poisoning.
Lead exposure in children is associated with serious health effects, including developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral issues. Children under age 3 are at the highest risk because their nervous systems are still developing. Because symptoms often are not apparent, a blood lead test is the best way to know if a child has been exposed to lead.
Colorado’s theme this year is “Get the Lead Out: Test, Protect, Thrive.”
“We selected a theme that touches on how partners must work together to help children thrive,” said Megan Snow, manager, Colorado Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. “Parents and health care providers are the key players in ensuring at-risk children get tested for lead. Meanwhile, state, federal, and local partners continue to protect children through parent and provider education and actions to reduce lead throughout the environment.”
Over the past year, Colorado has:
- Protected 600,000 children in Colorado through the Test & Fix Water for Kids program.
- Hosted soilSHOPS with federal partners to test soil samples for lead and provide information on how to protect loved ones from lead exposure.
- Sent individualized information to Colorado Medicaid providers with practical tips on how to ensure at-risk children receive a blood lead test.
- Started to help more than 1,000 communities, schools, and businesses throughout the state identify lead water service lines. When complete, water system customers will have accessible information about the locations of lead service lines and opportunities for replacement.
The most common source of lead exposure in Colorado is lead-based paint and dust found in many homes built before 1978. Other sources of lead include:
- Dust and soil from past and present industrial activities.
- Water from plumbing materials in homes built before 1986.
- Some imported candies, spices, cosmetics, jewelry, traditional remedies, toys, and glazed pottery.
- Jobs and hobbies that involve lead-based products.
- Leaded aviation fuel used in piston engine aircraft.
