Logan County Department of Public Health
promotes childhood lead poisoning prevention awareness
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[November 01, 2024]
 Recently,
the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) recognized Childhood
Lead Poisoning Prevention Week which ran through October 26th. The Logan
County Department of Public Health (LCDPH) joins IDPH in reminding
everyone of the dangers of lead poisoning.
Anyone can be at risk for lead poisoning which can lead to a variety of
health problems, and children are at the greatest risk as their brains
are in the developmental process. According to IDPH, health issues
associated with lead exposure include damage to the brain and nervous
system, slowed growth and development, learning and behavioral issues.
The main source of lead exposure is from lead contaminated dust and lead
based paint. Lead-based paint was used up until 1978 when it was banned,
and many older homes still contain lead-based paint. It is estimated
that there are 3.3 million homes in Illinois built prior to 1978 and, of
that number, approximately 1.2 million homes still contain lead hazards
in some form.
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Children are more at risk of exposure as they
typically play on the floor and around windows. One such hazard
occurs when lead dust settles on windowsills and on floors due to
the friction of opening and closing windows. When children come in
contact with lead, internal exposure may occur through hand to mouth
contact. This is just one example as there are other ways children
can become exposed to lead. There is no safe level of lead exposure,
and the sooner lead is identified, the better chance there is of
treating and reversing its effects.
Illinois law requires physicians
treating children 6 months through 6 years to have them screened or
tested for lead exposure before entering childcare, preschool, or
kindergarten. However, since Logan County is considered a high-risk
county by the State of Illinois, children in Logan County are
required to get tested on or after their 2nd birthday. The Logan
County Department of Public health offers lead testing. To get your
child tested for lead, you can visit LCDPH located at 109 3rd
Street, Lincoln, IL. For more information regarding lead testing or
any services offered at LCDPH, you can call them at 217-735-2317 or
visit their website at WWW.LCDPH.ORG.
Information Source: IDPH
[Don Cavi, MS, LEHP
Public Health Administrator
Logan County Department of Public Health] |
