To raise awareness of childhood lead poisoning prevention, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) are participating in National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week NLPPW from Oct. 19-25.
The ADH will be participating in multiple activities in Arkansas. To learn more about lead exposure, visit ADH’s Lead-Based Paint program at the following events in support of NLPPW:
• Friday, Oct. 24: City of Little Rock Employee Health Fair, Little Rock, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 30: Big Boo!seum Bash, Witt Stephens Jr. Nature Center, Little Rock, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 1: Vestido Rojo, Gujarati Samaj of Arkansas (GSA), Little Rock, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Lead has been banned from use in paint and gasoline in the United States since the 1970s. It is toxic to the human body, especially in young children.
The effects of lead poisoning during early childhood development can be severe. Even in small amounts, lead can cause damage to the brain and nervous system, resulting in learning and behavior problems, delayed growth and development, and other health-related problems. Some of these effects may persist beyond childhood. For pregnant women, harmful effects include premature births, smaller babies, and miscarriage. In 2023, 277 children in Arkansas were reported to have an elevated blood lead level.
A common source of lead exposure is from deteriorated lead-based paint. This paint was used inside and outside many homes built before 1978, as well as in other buildings and steel structures, which may be nearby or adjacent to homes. According to the CDC, 3.3 million American households with children under six years old have lead exposure hazards from lead in deteriorated paint, dust, or soil.
Parents can reduce a child’s exposure to lead in many ways. Here are some simple ways to protect your family: 1. Get the Facts: Find out about the hazards of lead. ADH can provide you with helpful information about preventing childhood lead poisoning. Contact them at (501) 671-1472 or review the ADH Lead-Based Paint program webpage. 2. Get Your Child Tested: A blood test is the best way to find out if a child has lead poisoning. Consult your doctor for advice on testing your children. 3. Get Your Home Tested: Find out how to minimize risks of lead exposure by hiring a certified professional to test older homes for lead. Water pipes in some older homes may contain lead solder, which can leach lead into the water. Learn more about lead in drinking water at the EPA Drinking Water webpage. The only way to fully remove lead from a pre-1978 home is to remove the paint. Abatement should always be made by a state-certified contractor. For more information, contact the Lead-Based Paint program at (501) 671-1472 or the National Lead Information Center at (800) 424-LEAD.