Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

Baby Mac Bean would like to remind you that October 19-23 is National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. All children should receive a blood test for lead at 12 and 24 months or 12 to 72 months if circumstances change to increase the risk of lead poisoning. Children not previously tested and who are between the ages of 25 to 72 months should also receive a blood lead test. All children should be assessed for risk of lead poisoning with this question: Does your child live in or spend a lot of time in a place built before 1978 that has peeling or chipped paint or has been recently renovated? If the response is "Yes" or "Don't know", the child should receive a blood lead test. The blood lead screening test helps identify children with elevated lead levels who may not otherwise be identified and therefore do not receive appropriate treatment or environmental interventions.

What should you know about lead poisoning?

• Very small amounts of lead can hurt your child.
• Lead poisoning occurs by swallowing or inhaling lead paint particles or lead dust.
• Lead paint dust and paint chips in older homes and buildings are the biggest source of exposure.
• Most children who have lead poisoning do not look or act sick.
• A blood test is the only way to know if your child has lead poisoning.
• To get a blood lead screening test contact your child's doctor today.