Lead Poisoning Investigation and Prevention 

The Health Department plays a unique role in the community in preventing childhood lead poisoning, and in responding to it when it does happen. The Health Department provides care, promotes prevention and serves as a regulatory agency. So, Health Department staff respond to childhood lead poisoning on several levels.

One out of every 11 children in the United States has an elevated blood lead level. In Kentucky, 4,200 children may be affected by lead poisoning.

Screening: The Health Department’s county health centers provide free or low-cost lead screening for children 6 and under. A Health Department nurse works to manage the cases of any children found to have high blood lead levels.

Investigation: Staff from the Health Department conducts investigations for possible causes when a child is found to have high blood lead levels.

Education and outreach: Education and outreach activities provide information through Web pages, pamphlets, brochures, health fairs and collaboration with community groups and state and federal agencies.

For more information on lead, you can read a list of frequently asked questions, a list of lead poisoning do's and don'ts, or you can call the Health Department at 859.341.4151.

Screening
Every child should be tested for lead poisoning at ages 9 to 12 months and again at age 24 months. Children with a higher risk should be tested more frequently. The lead screening consists of a finger stick.

If a child has an elevated level of lead, between 10 and 15 ug/dl (micrograms per deciliter), the Health Department offers a home visit by a registered nurse to provide education on ways to reduce the risks of lead exposure, including potential sources of lead poisoning, signs and symptoms, effects on the body, nutrition, proper cleaning methods and importance of good hand washing. 

Follow-up blood lead level testing is also required. If a child has a blood lead level between 10 and 14 µg/dl (micrograms per deciliter), a follow-up test must be performed 12 weeks after the initial screening. If a child has a blood lead level between 15 and 19, a follow-up test must be performed within one week.

Ask the following questions to determine if your child is at risk for lead poisoning:

• Does your child live in or regularly visit a home built before 1978?

• Does your home have mini-blinds made before 1996?

• Do you live near a heavily traveled highway?

• Does your family use pottery or leaded crystal for cooking or eating?

• Does a family member work on a farm, in construction areas, on bridges or tunnels, with batteries or aluminum?

• Has anyone in the family been treated for lead poisoning?

Investigation

When a child is found to have high blood lead levels, environmentalists from the Health Department conduct an investigation into the causes of the lead poisoning, typically if a child has a blood lead level of 15 µg/dl (micrograms per deciliter) or more.

An environmentalist and a nurse will visit the home to conduct an investigation, including:

• A risk factor survey and visual inspection of the inside and outside of the home, looking for signs of deteriorating lead paint or other sources of lead contamination.
• Samples, including paint chips, dust and soil, may be taken from areas inside and outside of the house. These samples are sent to a lab for analysis.
• Interviewing and educating the parents during the investigation helps point to possible sources and gives the family resources to help protect the health of the child while the investigation is proceeding.

A report is then produced regarding the findings of the investigation. It covers potential lead exposure sources, laboratory results, action steps and related information.     

Depending on the child’s blood lead levels and if lead hazards are found, the homeowner is recommended or required to have a certified contractor assess the hazards, develop a plan, have this plan reviewed by the Kentucky Department for Public Health and properly remove any lead hazards.

Lead-Safe Work Practices
Environmental Protection Agency regulations now require that companies doing remodeling work in buildings containing lead-based paint must be certified in lead-safe work practices. Painters, plumbers and other craftsmen working in any building constructed before 1978, when lead paint was banned, must be certified. The rules cover projects that disturb more than 6 square feet of interior space or 20 square feet of exterior space. Find a certified training program.

Education and Outreach

Because so many homes contain lead paint or other hazards, education of parents and others about lead is extremely important. Children under age 6 are especially at risk for lead poisoning because of their nature: they are curious, low to the ground and place things into their mouths. They can get lead into their blood by breathing contaminated dust and by putting lead contaminated paint chips, dust or soil into their mouths.

Certain activities and hobbies can cause lead poisoning. Working around, sanding or stripping lead paint, working with lead fishing tackle, lead bullets, batteries, and other occupations or hobbies where lead is present. Although lead cannot be absorbed through the skin, any of these activities can generate lead contaminated dust, and this lead-contaminated dust can poison occupants of the house, especially children. It only takes a small amount of lead contaminated dust to generate dangerously high levels of lead.

More information on lead:

Call the Health Department at 859.341.4151.
Kentucky Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
Kentucky Environmental Lead Program

CDC Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
EPA: Lead in Paint, Dust and Soil