Lead Poisoning Preventable

posted 10/2/19 -- October includes National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week and LCCAA Head Start reminds parents to check their children for lead exposure.

Lead poisoning can occur with no obvious symptoms and still impact brain development and growth, said LCCAA Head Start Health and Nutrition Manager Rebecca Rodriguez.

Rodriguez oversees blood testing for lead exposure conducted at all LCCAA Head Start centers annually in partnership with Lorain County Public Health. A blood test is the only way to determine lead levels accurately.

“The goal is no lead,” she added. “However, we are one of the high risk ZIP codes in the state for lead exposure.”

Rodriguez said the age of Lorain County’s housing along with extensive ongoing renovation means lead paint is being disturbed. Lead paint scraped from a home can end up in the soil near the home and be tracked onto floors where children play. Rodriguez recommends families remove their shoes when entering a home.

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is October 21 through 27. For more information, visit www.epa.gov/lead. Local resources may be available to detect or abate lead in homes. For details, visit odh.ohio.gov.