westchestergov.com In an emergency, let us contact you subscribecommentsfaq search home

                       Home

A-Z
Listing

Webpage
Directory
Current
News
Services
and
Locations
Data
and
Reports
Calendar
of
Events
Professionals
Corner
Need
a
Form?
 
Contact Us
Email Us

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention

 

To view documents formatted in Adobe PDF(), you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. Download Reader now

Westchester County Department of Health is encouraging parents and guardians to take precautions to prevent lead poisoning in their children.
Press Release   
Lead Prevention flyers

Lead is a toxic metal that before 1978 was found in household paint. The primary source of lead exposure in children is the lead based paint and lead contaminated dust and soil found in and around deteriorated older homes and buildings.

The Centers for Disease Control considers childhood lead poisoning to be the most preventable environmental disease of young children. Families can protect their children from lead exposure by:

a Having children under the age of six tested for lead exposure. In Westchester County, children are required to be tested at ages 1 and 2 years. This is when they are at highest risk for lead poisoning. A simple blood test can tell if your child has been exposed to lead. Check with your doctor to be sure your child has been tested.

a Keeping your home clean and dust free. This is especially important if you live in an older home. Damp dust and mop to clean up any possible lead dust. Clean up any paint chips from the floor. This type of housekeeping will help lower your child’s exposure to lead dust and lead paint.

The Westchester County Department of Health is here to assist you in keeping your child from being exposed to lead. The staff of the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program can assist in answering your questions on lead exposure in children.

If you live in the 10701 zip code area of Yonkers, the staff of the Westchester County Lead Primary Prevention Program and the Healthy Neighborhoods Program can come to your home for a free inspection and free safety supplies.

For further information contact the Westchester County Department of Health at 813 - 5000


4 Is the paint in your home making your child sick (Eng) brochure
4La pintura de las paredes de su casa enferma a su niño? (Spanish)

Brochures:

Preventing Lead Poisoning in Young Children
(CDC, August 2005)
Eliminating Childhood Lead Poisoning : A Federal Strategy Targeting Lead
     Paint Hazards (EPA, February 2000)

Reducing Lead Hazards When Remodeling your Home (EPA, 1997)
Testing Your Home For Lead, in paint, lead and soil (EPA)     
 
Helpful Information:

Lead Safe Program from the Westchester County Dept. of Planning
Facts about Lead (EPA) En Español (EPA)
Lead in Water, Questions and Answers (CDC)
Landlords and Property Owners: You can receive grants to remove and
      replace windows in ALL of your units for FREE
(Lead Safe Westchester)
Landlords and Homeowners - Tips for protecting your property
La Seguridad con la Pintura de plomo (HUD)