Each year, National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) is a call to bring together individuals, organizations, industry, and tribal, state, and local governments to reduce childhood exposure to lead by increasing lead poisoning prevention awareness.
The 2024 theme is “Bright Futures Begin Lead-Free” and the Get the Lead Out Detroit Coalition encourages Detroit families with children six years of age and under to have their children tested.
Unfortunately, while testing is key to early intervention – only 21% of eligible Detroit children were tested in 2021. More than 1,000 Detroit children tested in 2021 had elevated blood lead levels.
Lead is a naturally occurring metal that can cause negative health effects. People are exposed to lead by breathing in or ingesting in lead dust caused by friction of painted surfaces, eating lead paint chips (which taste sweet), or ingesting contaminated food or water. Because of their developing nervous system, children younger than 6 years old are particularly vulnerable to the effects of lead exposure since lead is easily absorbed in their nervous system.
Starting this year, it is the law that all children in Michigan be tested for lead poisoning between 12-months and 24-months of age. In addition to one’s primary care physician, caregivers can contact their doctor or the Detroit Health Department at (313) 876-0133 to make an appointment.
Lead poisoning can be detected by analyzing a single drop of blood. Should that initial test find evidence of lead poisoning, health professionals will draw blood for detailed analysis.
No safe blood lead level (BLL) in children has been identified and even low levels of lead in blood can cause developmental delays, difficulty learning, behavioral issues, and neurological damage. The effects of lead poisoning can be permanent and disabling.
We are grateful that CDC, EPA, and HUD came together for National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week to bring awareness of the dangers of lead poisoning. We hope that our Coalition and the resources we share through our website will help address these dangers 365 days a year.