National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) highlights the many ways parents, caregivers, and communities can reduce children’s exposure to lead and prevent its serious health effects. 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 NLPPW on October 20-26.
The ADH will be participating in multiple activities in Arkansas throughout the week. To learn more about lead exposure, visit ADH’s Lead-Based Paint program at the following events in support of NLPPW:
Thursday, Oct, 24: Big Boo!seum Bash, Witt Stephens Jr. Nature Center, Little Rock, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 26: Arkansas Minority Health Commission & Sebastian County NAACP Community Health Fair, St. James Missionary Baptist, Fort Smith, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 26: Vestido Rojo, GSA Community Center, Little Rock, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Lead has been banned in the United States in paint and gasoline since the 1970s. It is toxic to the human body, especially in young children. Exposure to lead can result in lead poisoning, which occurs when lead enters the bloodstream and builds up to toxic levels. It is especially dangerous for children six years old and younger as their bodies are still developing and growing rapidly. The effects from lead poisoning during early childhood development can be severe. Even in small amounts, lead can cause damage to the brain and nervous system, which can result in learning and behavior problems, delayed growth and development, as well as other health-related problems. Some of these effects may persist beyond childhood. For pregnant women, harmful effects include premature births, smaller babies, and miscarriage. There is no safe level of lead exposure.
Despite the continued presence of lead in the environment, lead poisoning is preventable. The key is preventing children from coming into contact with lead. In 2023, there were 277 children in Arkansas reported to have an elevated blood lead level.
A common source of lead exposure is from deteriorated lead-based paint, which was used inside and outside many homes built before 1978 and 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 6 years old have lead exposure hazards from lead in deteriorated paint, dust, or soil. Children can also be exposed to lead in drinking water, take-home exposures from a workplace, lead in soil, and from some metal toys or toys painted with lead-based paint. A simple blood test may be able to help prevent permanent damage from occurring.
The NLPPW theme, “Bright futures begin lead-free” underscores the importance of learning how to prevent lead poisoning as well as testing your home and your child.
Parents can reduce a child’s exposure to lead in many ways. Here are some simple ways to protect your family:
Get the Facts: Find out about the hazards of lead. The Arkansas Department of Health (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 website here.
