Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

Lead Poisoning Prevention in St. Lawrence County

Despite significant progress, childhood lead poisoning remains a serious problem in St. Lawrence County and throughout New York State. All children with lead poisoning are eligible to receive support from the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. We help connect parents with resources to identify how their child was exposed to lead and what to do about it.

Lead testing pipes

Protect your Child From the Dangers of Lead Poisoning

Lead Poisoning is 100% Preventable!

Signs of Lead Poisoning:

Often, there are no signs of lead poisoning, but even low-level lead exposure can cause learning and behavioral problems, like trouble paying attention. Symptoms of lead poisoning may include:

Loss of appetite
Feeling tired or irritable
Poor growth
Nausea and vomiting
Constipation
Stomach pain
Joint pain and muscle weakness
Headaches

Talk to your doctor about a blood lead test

A blood lead test is the only way to determine if your child has lead poisoning. All children should be tested for lead at age 1 and again at age 2 as well as all children at high risk for lead poisoning. In St. Lawrence County, many children may be at risk for lead poisoning as the majority of our housing supply was built before a ban on lead-based paint in 1978.

Risk Factors for Lead Poisoning:

Does your child live in or regularly visit a building built before 1978 with potential lead exposures, such as peeling or chipping paint, recent or ongoing renovation or remodeling, or high levels of lead in the drinking water?
Has your child spent any time outside the US in the past year?
Does your child live or play with a child who has an elevated blood lead level?
Does your child have developmental disabilities, put nonfood items in their mouth, or peel or disturb painted surfaces?
Does your child have frequent contact with an adult whose job or hobby may involve exposure to lead, such as house painting, plumbing, renovation, construction, welding, electronics repair, battery recycling, lead smelting, jewelry, stained glass or pottery making, fishing, firearms, or collecting lead or pewter figurines?
Does your family use traditional medicines, health remedies, cosmetics, powders, spices, or food from other countries?
Did your child miss a lead test? New York State requires all children be tested for lead at age 1 and again at age 2.

Keep your Home Lead-Safe

The majority of homes in St. Lawrence County were built before a ban on lead-based paint. Children can become lead poisoned when they ingest or inhale lead or lead-contaminated dust that is present in their environment. Keep your home lead-safe by:

Fixing areas with chipped & peeling paint
Regularly clean floors, windowsills, and dusty surfaces with a mop and wet cloth
Use cold flushed tap water for mixing formula, drinking, and cooking
If your work or hobbies involve exposure to lead, change your clothes and shower when finished
Follow safe work practices for removing lead-based paint or hire lead-safe contractors
Have your water tested for lead

What to do if Your Child has an Elevated Blood Lead Level:

Call the St. Lawrence County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at 315-286-2325. We can help connect you with resources to identify how your child was exposed to lead and what to do about it.

Eliminate the Sources of Lead

All children enrolled in the lead poisoning prevention program are eligible to have their homes tested for lead, at no cost to them. We work with property owners to identify lead in the home and develop a plan to address it.

Homeowners can also hire an EPA-certified inspector or risk assessor to test their properties for lead. A list of local companies can be found at:

https://cdxapps.epa.gov/ocspp-oppt-lead/firm-location-search

A number of lead test kits are available for purchase in most hardware stores, however, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns customers to exercise caution when using such test kits to evaluate lead exposures.

Wet Cleaning

Lead in household dust results from indoor sources such as old lead-based paint on surfaces that are frequently in motion or bump or rub together (such as window frames), deteriorating lead-based paint, and unsafe home renovations.

To reduce exposure to lead dust, it is especially important to:

Maintain all painted surfaces in good condition
Clean frequently using a mop, wet cloth, or sponge to reduce the likelihood of lead chips and dust forming
Ensure your vacuum cleaner is equipped with a HEPA filter to prevent further spreading of dust

Focus on Nutrition

Good nutrition can help reduce the effects of lead. Focus on foods high in Iron, Calcium, and Vitamin C.

You can also ask your child’s doctor about an iron supplement.

Home Renovation, Repair, and Painting

If you are performing any renovations or repairs on your pre-1978 house then you need to work lead-safe!

Doing the Work Yourself?

Learn how to use Lead-Safe Work Practices when remodeling, repairing, or painting your home. Every year hundreds of children are diagnosed with lead poisoning due to exposure of lead dust during home repairs and renovations.

Hiring a Contractor?

Make sure they are certified in RRP. Contractors who perform renovation, repairs, and painting in pre-1978 housing need to have this certification and must take special precautions around paint that may contain lead. Be sure to ask your contractor about their certification(s). Under strict EPA rules that took effect on April 22, 2010, special certification is required for all home improvement activity in housing built before 1978 and in ANY child-occupied facility. This rule, "Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP)" is intended to ensure that any activity that disturbs paint in older housing is performed using lead-safe work practices. For more information visit the EPA "RRP" website or call 1-800-424-LEAD (5323).

https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-renovation-repair-and-painting-program-rules