The last week of October every year is dedicated to promoting awareness of lead poisoning by CDC, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and other partners. This year, the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program is teaming up with our new Environmental Public Health Tracking Program to call on pediatricians and parents to help us make progress to end childhood lead poisoning.
Childhood lead poisoning is considered the most preventable environmental disease among young children. Even at low blood lead levels, children’s intelligence, behavior, hearing and growth can be irreparably damaged. All children living in high risk zip codes should receive a blood lead test by their health care provider at 12 and 24 months of age.
Each day of Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, we will share information on a specific topic related to childhood lead poisoning. Follow the campaign on social media by using the hashtags #LeadTestInTheWest and #NLPPW2017.
