Press Releases
10/29/2021
Connecticut Department of Public Health Stresses Lead Prevention Safety
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 29, 2021
CONTACT: Chris Boyle, Director of Communications
(860) 706-9654 – [email protected]
Connecticut Department of Public Health Stresses Lead Prevention Safety
HARTFORD, Conn.—Oct. 24–30, is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week which is a call to bring together individuals, organizations, industry, and state, tribal, and local governments to increase lead poisoning prevention awareness to reduce childhood exposure to lead.
NLPPW highlights the many ways parents can reduce children’s exposure to lead in their environment and prevent its serious health effects. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and our partners work to heighten awareness of lead poisoning, provide resources, and encourage preventive actions during NLPPW and beyond.
The most common source of exposure to lead is lead-based paint. Lead paint is commonly found in older homes built before 1978. The American Community Survey 2019, estimates that roughly 70% of Connecticut’s housing stock was built before 1980. Lead paint becomes dangerous when it cracks, peels, or chips off painted surfaces. Young children are at an increased risk of exposure due to their frequent exploration and hand-to-mouth behavior. Children absorb lead more easily than adults because they are still growing and developing.
The rate of lead-poisoned children in Connecticut has declined over the years; however, lead-related health disparities continue to exist. DPH data show that those living in urban communities and low-income families are at an increased risk.
Additionally, Non-Hispanic Black, Non-Hispanic Asian, and Hispanic children in Connecticut are at greater risk for lead poisoning than Non-Hispanic White children. (Note: these groups are 2.6, 2.0, and 2.2 times more likely to be lead poisoned respectively.)
The Connecticut Department of Public Health is issuing the following prevention reminders for the community:
- The only way to know if a child has been exposed to lead is to have them screened by a medical provider.
- Connecticut mandates universal blood lead screening and all children are required …….