For more information, visit www.ODH.Ohio.gov/Lead/ or contact Allen County Public Health at 419-228-4457.
Childhood lead poisoning is considered the most preventable environmental disease among young children, yet thousands of children get lead poisoning each year across the United States.
Ohio law requires healthcare providers to do blood lead tests to children at ages 1 and 2, or up to age 6 if no previous test has been completed based on the following criteria: the child is on Medicaid, lives in a high-risk ZIP code, or has certain other risk factors. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) offers information and resources about childhood lead poisoning for healthcare providers, pregnant women and parents.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) uses a blood lead reference value (BLRV) to identify children with elevated levels of lead in their blood. In October 2021, the CDC updated the BLRV to 3.5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL). This updated reference value is the level at which the CDC recommends public health actions be initiated to mitigate the source of lead exposure.
There is no known safe amount of lead in the body. The effects of lead exposure cannot be corrected or reversed, and even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to make it harder for children to learn and do well in school.
Children can be exposed to lead in many ways, but most exposure happens when children put things contaminated with lead into their mouths while playing. Lead was used in house paint until 1978, and any house built before that year could have lead paint. Chips from this paint can be ingested or ground into dust, which can be eaten or inhaled. Lead can also be found in soil, water, and certain items that come from other countries. Many children with lead poisoning have no signs at first, which makes it hard to diagnose and treat their poisoning early.
Over the next several months, Allen County Public Health will be partnering with ODH to provide lead poisoning awareness education, focusing on 3 messages:
1. Get the facts. Learn about the dangerous health effects related to lead exposure in children.
2. Get your home tested. Learn about lead hazards in the home and how to minimize risks of lead exposure.
3. Get your child tested. Check with your health care provider about getting a lead test for your child.
While fewer Ohio children have had high lead levels in their blood over the past 20 years, there’s still more work to do to reduce lead dangers and protect children from lead poisoning.
