San Bernardino County Department of Public Health commemorates Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, October 22-28, with a week-long information campaign about childhood lead poisoning issues.
Our campaign message this year is, “Protect your family from all sources of lead air pollution, including aircrafts and shooting ranges.”
Campaign highlights include webinars, social media posts, distribution of informational resources, and display banners in the cities of Colton, Fontana and Ontario.
Lead poisoning can seriously affect a child’s brain and nervous system. It can cause learning and behavioral problems. A blood lead test is the only way to identify lead poisoning in children.
“The purpose of this campaign is to remind parents that lead poisoning can be detrimental to young children’s health and development,” stated Dr. Michael Sequeira, county health officer. “It’s important for parents to ask their child’s doctor about blood lead testing.”
In California, children can be exposed to lead by ingesting lead-contaminated dust, paint chips from deteriorating lead-based paint and lead-contaminated soil. If families live or spend time near airports, they may be exposed to lead air pollution from the use of leaded aviation fuel in small airplanes. Other sources of lead poisoning include lead dust brought home on parents’ work clothes, certain imported ceramic pottery, painted objects, traditional home remedies, traditional cosmetics, and imported spices, candies, and other food products. Additionally, activities that involve lead products such as soldering, making stained glass, and handling bullets or fishing sinkers can put children at risk.
All parents and caregivers of young children are invited to participate in a free webinar series from October 23-27 to learn how to protect their children from this serious environmental threat. To learn more, visit dph.sbcounty.gov or call (800) 722-3777.
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