Lead poisoning and exposure can lead to serious health problems in young children.
LCCAA Head Start screens all students for lead exposure each school year to find and treat issues early. Screenings will occur in early February at LCCAA Head Start centers around the county.
Although lead is a metal found naturally in the environment, some older buildings have dangerously high levels of lead in them. Children can inhale or swallow lead through exposure to surfaces painted before lead was outlawed in household paints (1978) or through drinking water that passes through old pipe systems that contain lead.
Coalitions in northeast Ohio are working to replace the large number of lead water lines in the area. Lead was the most common material for pipes when Ohio’s population boomed. Using lead in water lines has been illegal since the 1980s.
LCCAA Head Start does its best to make the screening – a simple blood test – as painless as possible for children. Symptoms may include irritability, learning difficulties, headaches and many other symptoms. Left untreated, developmental delays can result.
Any Head Start student who tests positive for lead exposure is referred to appropriate doctors for treatment which may be as simple as nutrition counseling.
Lorain County Public Health also offers lead testing which is covered by most insurance plans. The health department also has resources you can use to test your home for lead.
Learn more about local resources at the health department.
Learn more about why Head Start tests for lead.
If you have questions about your child’s screening or your child misses the date at his or her center, talk to your Family Service Assistant.
Lead Screening Schedule
Feb. 6: Wellington and Firelands
Feb. 7: South Elyria, LaGrange, Dewhurst Horizon
Feb. 11: Hopkins-Locke, East Lorain Horizon
Feb. 12: Griswold, South Lorain Horizon
Feb. 19: Central Plaza, Little Lighthouse
