In Onondaga County, approximately 6% of the children tested in 2015 had high blood lead testing results requiring additional monitoring and follow-up.
To heighten awareness of childhood lead poisoning prevention, the Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) along with the CDC, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is participating in National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) October 23rd to the 30th. Dr. Indu Gupta, Onondaga County Health Commissioner, emphasized “that there are many ways families can reduce a child’s exposure to lead”.
Dr. Gupta stresses the importance of following these simple steps to prevent childhood lead poisoning:
- Get your child tested. Have your child tested at age 1 and again at age 2. Even if your child seems healthy, ask your doctor to do a blood lead test.
- Get your home tested for lead. If you rent your home, call the OCHD Lead Program to ask about getting a free lead home inspection.
- Get information on safely removing lead paint from your older home (pre-1978). Home repair grants are available to remove lead from homes in the city of Syracuse and throughout Onondaga County. Hiring a contractor? Choose only contractors with Lead Safe Worker training and certification.
- Get the facts! The Lead Program can provide more information on how to prevent childhood lead poisoning. Call 435-3271, email us at LeadFreeKids@ongov.net, visit www.ongov.net/health/lead, and find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ongovhealth.