Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

The vision of the Kentucky Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (KYCLPPP) is to support a healthy, lead-safe environment for children. Lead may be found in many products, including soil, water, and air. Lead cannot be seen, tasted, or smelled. Even low levels of lead can be associated with delays in development, difficulties learning, and behavior issues. Some effects of lead can be permanent. There is no safe level of lead in the body.

Education and Prevention

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Strategies:

Primary prevention: Removing lead hazards from the environment before a child is exposed.
Secondary prevention: Blood lead testing and follow-up care.
Removing lead exposures in the home.
Other prevention measures: Wash hands frequently, wash toys and objects children handle, keep children away from bare soil, and feed them healthy foods high in Vitamin C, iron, and calcium.

Blood Lead Screening and Testing for Children and Pregnant Women

Medicaid Enrolled Children under Age 6:

Verbal lead risk assessment should be completed:

At ages 6 months, 9 months, and 18 months of age.
At ages 3 - 6 years of age, if not previously screened or experience a change in risk status.
A blood lead test should be performed for any “Yes” or “I don’t know” response.

Blood lead test:

At 12 months and 24 months.
If not completed, a child must receive a blood lead test between 24 months and 72 months.

Non-Medicaid Children under Age 6:

Verbal lead risk assessment should be completed:

At 6, 9, 12 and 18 months of age.
At ages 3 – 6 years of age, if not previously screened or experience a change in risk status.
A blood lead test should be performed for any “Yes” or “I don’t know” response.

Refugee Children:

All newly arriving infants and refugee children under 72 months of age should receive an initial blood lead test with a follow-up test 3 to 6 months later, regardless of the initial blood lead test result.

Pregnant Women:

A verbal lead risk assessment should be performed at the first prenatal visit. A “yes” or an “I don’t know” should prompt a blood lead test.

Prevention

Prior to 1978, lead-based paint was not banned, and homes built before 1978 probably contain lead-based paint. Lead exposure can occur when lead-based items are eaten, transferred from lead-based items, or lead-contaminated air is inhaled.

Paint chips and dust: When the paint peels and cracks, it makes paint chips. When lead paint rubs together and causes friction, such as opening a window, it may create lead-contaminated dust, which is breathed in.
Household pipes and plumbing fixtures prior to 1986 may contain lead. Lead exposure can occur through drinking the water.
Soil contaminated with lead.
Food and spices
Medicines
Cosmetics
Jewelry and toys
Adults may work or have hobbies that expose them to lead. These can include, but are not limited to, remodeling, plumbing, melting metal, auto body repair, working with batteries/radiators, fishing or working with fishing lures, time at a firing range, handling ammunition, and working with paint, pottery, or stained glass. Refer to the links below for more information.

The CDC links below contain important information about lead exposure and prevention, as well as resources in several different languages:

Housing, Soil and Renovations

A risk assessment will identify sources of lead and ways to reduce lead exposure. Information is available at Lead Abatement, Inspection and Risk Assessment.
Remove shoes outdoors, at the door, or place them in a container, or out of children’s reach.
Keep windowsills/frames and other surfaces free of lead dust and paint chips. Use sponges or paper towels with warm water and all-purpose cleaner. Mop floors with a wet mop and vacuum daily with a HEPA-filtered vacuum.
Encourage your children to play in grass or sand instead of dirt. Cover areas of bare soil and prevent them from eating dirt.
Use temporary measures to reduce access to lead-based paint, including but not limited to blocking a child's access to potentially hazardous areas with a barrier, such as placing furniture in front of a chipping windowsill. Use duct or masking tape and plastic or cardboard to cover chipping/peeling surfaces until permanent work can be done.
Peeling or chipping lead-based paint should be removed by qualified professionals to meet safety standards.
Renovations, including but not limited to sanding and replacing windows, can create lead dust. Use lead safety work practices (walk off areas, plastic off the door areas, remove shoes/clothing before entering living spaces, daily clean up, and vacuuming of work/walk off areas). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends using certified contractors. Safety information is available at Home Renovations and Locating a Lead-Safe Certified Firm.
Consider relocating children and pregnant women from the home during renovations and cleanup.

Home Inspections for Lead Exposure

You can have your home inspected for lead by calling a certified lead inspector or lead risk assessor. Home test kits are available but not always accurate. Contact the Kentucky Environmental Lead Program at (502) 564-4537 or visit their website at www.chfs.ky.gov/envlead for more information. You may also contact KYCLPPP or the Kentucky Regional Environmental Protection Agency at (502) 564-0323 for more information.

Hygiene and Diet

Make sure children wash their hands before eating, napping, bedtime, and after playing.
Wash toys and stuffed animals regularly. Wash pacifiers and bottles before use if they fall on the ground.
Lead can be brought into the home through clothes, shoes, and hands and get on the floors, carpet, and furniture. Change your clothes and shower right away once you are home if you are around a lead-based environment for your job.
Eat iron-rich foods such as chicken, fish, lean red meats, dried fruits, and iron-fortified cereals helps protect the body from the effects of lead. Include calcium-rich foods such as milk, cheese, yogurt, oranges, and tomatoes to reduce lead absorption in the body.
Do not eat non-food items (pica) despite cravings.
Do not use imported pottery to eat, serve, or store food.
Lead can be found in some candies and in certain spices imported from Vietnam, India, Syria, and some other countries. Ink from plastic or paper candy wrappers may also contain lead that leaks into the imported candy. Some ingredients, such as chili powder and tamarind, may be a source of lead exposure.
Drinking water can be exposed to lead through brass/chrome-plated brass faucets, galvanized iron pipe, and plumbing that contains lead. Boiling water will not reduce the lead in the water. Reduce exposure by drinking bottled water, using tap water that runs through a “point-of-use" certified filter, using tap water that is cold, and allowing water to run for a few minutes prior to use.
Lead can be found in products typically used in cosmetics or in religious ceremonies. Avoid the use of Sindoor powder. It is not intended to be a food item, but some may use it as a food additive. It is traditionally used by Hindu and some Sikh women as a powder in the parting of their hair.
Lead can be found in some herbal medicines and folk medicines.