Lead remains a hazard for Arizona’s children

Even though it has been more than 40 years since the federal government banned the manufacturing of lead-based paint and even longer since the U.S. moved away from gasoline containing lead, exposure to this toxic metal remains a danger to Arizonans, especially children.

Looking toward Lead Poisoning Prevention Week from Oct. 24-30, the Arizona Department of Health Services is reminding parents that all children should be evaluated for risk of lead exposure at 12 months and 24 months of age. Children living in high-risk neighborhoods should receive a blood lead test by their healthcare provider. Families and pediatricians can use our lead risk map to determine if a child lives in one of those high-risk areas.

Read the: ANNUAL REPORT

The health impacts of exposure to lead can be serious for anyone, but they are most concerning in children. Exposure to lead can result in behavioral and learning problems, lower IQ, slowed growth hearing problems, and anemia. Pregnant women can also pass along lead to their child, causing similar concerns.

Anyone can be exposed to lead from such sources as dust, old paint, soil, dishes that contain lead, and even dust from renovating older buildings.

The challenges are seen all across Arizona. In 2019, only Greenlee County, Arizona’s smallest, had no cases of children younger than 6 testing positive for lead exposure. Maricopa (162), Pima (55), Cochise (15) and Coconino counties had the most cases.

The highest percentage of cases was found in Apache County (3.1%), while Gila, Graham, and LaPaz counties each had more than 1% of children test positive. The most common age was just 1-year-old, accounting for 37.9% of all cases.

What can parents do? Most importantly, have your child tested by their doctor at 12 and 24 months. A blood test is the only way to know if a child has been exposed.

Keeping play areas clean and dust free, and washing your child’s hands as well as toys, bottlesc, and pacifiers often will help reduce exposure in your home,

More information on reducing lead-related risks are available on our site.

Still have questions? Please email us at [email protected].

By Jessica Rigler|2021-10-22T10:46:51-07:00October 22nd, 2021|Preparedness|Comments Off

About the Author: Jessica Rigler

Jessica Rigler, an Arizona native, began her public health career more than 15 years ago, serving in varied roles with local, state, federal, and international public health agencies. Jessica has been with the Arizona Department of Health Services for over 12 years, supporting evaluation activities with the state immunization program, serving as the state’s first Healthcare Associated Infections Coordinator, and leading the Bureau of Epidemiology and Disease Control. She is currently an Assistant Director overseeing the Division of Public Health Preparedness at ADHS, which spans the areas of Epidemiology and Disease Control, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health Statistics, Public Health Emergency Preparedness and the Arizona State Public Health Laboratory. In recent years, Jessica has worked with the ADHS team to lead critical public health responses including opioids and COVID-19. Jessica holds Bachelor’s degrees in biochemistry and human development from the University of California, San Diego, and a Master’s degree in public health from Emory University. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist and certified in infection control.