Suffolk County is commemorating National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week from October 25 to 31, and the Department of Health Services is urging residents to become informed on how to avoid lead poisoning by visiting its website and following some preventive measures.

“Lead is a major environmental threat for children especially young children, in whom it can cause problems with growth, behavior, and ability to learn,” said Acting Commissioner Linda Mermelstein, MD, MPH. “Lead can also harm babies before they are born, so both pregnant women and children should stay away from home repairs.” 

Most childhood lead poisoning is caused by dust from old, peeling lead paint in buildings that were built before 1978.  This often invisible lead dust settles on toys, windowsills and floors.  A child can get lead poisoning by swallowing or breathing in lead or lead dust.  Only a small amount of lead is needed to harm a young, growing child.

Dr. Mermelstein offers the following advice to help protect children from lead in their environment: 

·           Assume any home built before 1978 contains lead paint.  Keep all painted surfaces in good condition.  Before you repair peeling paint or do home renovations, learn  how to paint and repair safely and keep dust levels down by visiting the state’s website:  www.nyhealth.gov/environmental/lead

·           If you rent a home built before 1978, ask your landlord to repair any peeling paint safely.  If the landlord is not responsive, you can call your local building inspector or town clerk, which are listed in the phone book government blue pages. 

·           Keep babies and children away from peeling, chipped paint.

·           Wash your children’s hands, face, toys, bottles and pacifiers often. 

·           If you have a job or hobby that involves working with lead, change clothes and shoes before entering home.  Wash work clothes separately from other clothes.

·           Do not use Mexican, Indian, and Middle Eastern pottery, painted china, leaded glass, crystal or pewter to serve or store food, as they contain lead.  High levels of lead have also been found in some Ayurvedic medicines, Kohl, Surma, Greta, and Azarcon.

·           If you suspect your child has inhaled or swallowed lead, call the doctor.

Most children with lead poisoning do not look or feel sick.  The only way to know if a child has lead poisoning is to get a blood test.  In New YorkState, health care providers are required to test all children for lead at age one year, and again at age two years.

For information about events taking place during Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, please call Suffolk County Department of Health Services Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at (631) 853-8495.