Keeping Children Lead-Safe in Spencer County
Did you know that childhood lead poisoning is the most common environmental disease of young children and is TOTALLY PREVENTABLE?
What Can You Do?
You can make sure your child is tested for lead and your child's environment is lead safe. Ask your pediatrician to have your child tested or call the Spencer County Health Department to schedule a free blood lead test.
Make your child's environment lead-safe:
Good housekeeping can go a long way in the prevention of childhood lead poisoning.
Keeping surfaces in the child's environment free of lead dust will reduce the child's exposure to lead.
- Good hand washing practices can also keep lead out of a child's system.
- Using "wet" techniques for the removal of lead paint during a home renovation project will minimize the creation of lead dust.
- Good nutrition will minimize the body’s uptake of lead.
Schedule an Appointment
Lead screening available free of charge. Routine screenings should begin at 1 year of age. To schedule an appointment and for more information, call (812) 649-4441.
- When are children most at risk for lead poisoning?
The State of Indiana's Blood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program administered through the Indiana State Department of Public Health targets children under 6 for being the most at risk for lead poisoning due to both age related behavior and brain development.
- Why is it important to test a child for lead poisoning?
Lead poisoning is totally preventable. The effects of lead poisoning are irreversible! Many children show no symptoms when they have been exposed to lead. Some symptoms like headaches, stomachache, and crankiness are often associated with other common diseases. Lead poisoning causes reduced intelligence, low attention span, reading and learning disabilities, and has been linked to juvenile delinquency, behavioral problems, and many other adverse health effects. High levels of lead can cause coma, convulsions, and death.
- Where is the lead in a child's environment?
The majority of children poisoned by lead live in homes built and/or painted prior to 1978. These homes contain lead paint, which was outlawed in 1978. As lead paint deteriorates, it creates lead dust. A young child may get lead in their system through inhalation of this dust, or through ingestion of the lead dust that settles on the surfaces in their environment (toys, floor, window sills, clothing, etc.) when they put things in their mouth or fail to wash their hands before eating. Lead paint chips can also taste sweet and some children develop a habit of eating them.