BREWSTER, NY—Lead poisoning prevention week comes every October. Its purpose is both locally and nationally important—to call individuals, families and organizations together to raise awareness and encourage prevention of lead poisoning. This heavy metal is toxic to everyone, no matter their age. The health department is building on this year’s theme “Bright futures begin lead-free,” and alerting everyone to get the facts, get children tested and finally, to know when homes should be tested.
“As we recognize the 25th annual National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, we want to emphasize that lead is toxic to all humans across their life span, and without regard to health status,” said interim health commissioner Michael J. Nesheiwat, MD. “And the fact is that childhood lead poisoning is 100 percent preventable. Because their bodies are developing and are more likely to absorb the lead, younger children are especially vulnerable to the effects of lead poisoning. Well-documented consequences have shown slowed growth, learning and behavioral issues, hearing and speech problems, and lowered intelligence, all resulting from damage to the brain and nervous system. These issues can have lifelong, adverse effects.”
Lead poisoning can happen after eating food contaminated with lead or when exposed to lead contaminated soil or dust. Young children may have an increased risk for exposure as they are often putting their hands in their mouths and ingesting it this way. The federal government banned lead paint in 1978, but homes and other buildings built earlier often have lead paint. These buildings are common across Putnam County, particularly in the historic areas in the Villages of Brewster and Cold Spring. Older housing may also have lead pipes, faucets, and other plumbing fixtures, so contaminated water may pose another health issue. Fortunately, the Environmental Protection Agency recently finalized a rule requiring water utilities to replace all old lead pipes within ten years. Regarding lead paint, if it is left undisturbed, it poses minimal risk. But when these older homes need repair, the work may require certified specialists in lead containment. Otherwise, the work can expose the contaminated paint and cause problems. Before any renovations get started, residents should test for lead, especially if there are young children living there. Housing disparities, along with inequities in income and access to health insurance and required screenings, compound the problems and increase health risks even further.
“Because there are no apparent symptoms to warn you if a child has been exposed or has a high blood lead level, the only sure way to know is to test the child’s blood for lead,” said Nesheiwat. “New York State public health law in fact requires testing at ages one and two. Speaking with your child’s healthcare provider is the best way to know if more tests might be recommended in an individual situation.”
The good news is that if the source of exposure is found and eliminated, and the lead levels are not too high, then the body’s natural ability to flush out toxins will allow children and adults to recover. Eating foods high in iron will help decrease the amount of ingested lead that can be absorbed by the body.
Contaminated food and home renovations are not the only way that lead exposure can occur. Lead has been found in spices, candies, toys, pottery and jewelry, most often if they come from outside the U.S. Certain jobs or hobbies, like stained-glass work, can result in adults bringing lead into their home with the chance of contaminating the home environment. This is especially problematic if contamination occurs in a home with a pregnant person. Prenatal exposure can lead to increased risk for miscarriage, premature birth, and other developmental implications for babies.
During Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), are hosting more than half a dozen webinars in English and Spanish. Access all the webinars and more resources on this CDC webpage, https://www.cdc.gov/lead-prevention/php/nlppw/index.html. Or read further and register through the links below:
The mission of the Putnam County Department of Health is to improve and protect the health of the Putnam County community. The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) through 2029, serves a community composed of nearly 100,000 residents. Core services are provided through a lens of equity, and include community health assessment, disease surveillance and control, emergency preparedness, environmental health protection, family health promotion and health education. For more information, please visit the County website at www.putnamcountyny.com, or visit our social media sites on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram @PutnamHealthNY.
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For more information, visit:
Spanish communication tools and resources for childhood lead poisoning prevention
Spanish communication resources page.
English communications tools and resources for childhood lead poisoning prevention https://www.cdc.gov/lead-prevention/communication-resources/index.html
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