LEAD AND HEALTHY HOMES PROGRAM
Radon Testing
For a free short-term radon test kit, contact the American Lung Association.Our Mission
The mission of the Indiana Lead and Healthy Homes Program (ILHHP) is to eliminate the incidence of childhood lead poisoning in Indiana. This is being accomplished through screening for lead poisoned children, treatment of children who are lead poisoned, follow-up case management, and the remediation of the environmental causes of the disease.
Lead poisoning is a silent menace which often does not manifest itself until the damage is done. The disease can permanently and irreversibly damage the developing brains and other organs of young children. Serious effects can include lowered intelligence, behavior disorder, and slowed physical development. Once poisoned, a young child’s chances for academic, social and occupational success are significantly diminished.
Deteriorated lead-based paint in the child’s home environment is the primary source of lead poisoning. Young children, who are most vulnerable to the effects of lead poisoning, pick up lead dust from the floor and ingest it through hand to mouth activity. In recent years other sources of lead poisoning have come to light. Consumer products, such as children’s toys or inexpensive jewelry, often imported from countries where there are few restrictions on the use of lead, have resulted in some notorious cases of lead poisoning and even death. Still, any child living in a house built prior to 1978 is at the greatest risk of lead poisoning. The older the home the more likely there is lead paint.
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