PREVENT + PROMOTE + PROTECT

Lead Poisoning & Prevention

Lead Poisoning & Prevention

Lead poisoning is the greatest environmental threat to children in Ohio.  Lead can damage nearly every system in the human body, and has harmful effects on both adults and children.  Most children with lead poisoning do not show sign and symptoms right away.  The only reliable way to know if your child has been exposed to lead is to get them tested.

Lead is particularly dangerous to children because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults do and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead. Babies and young children can also be more highly exposed to lead because they often put their hands and other objects that can have lead from dust or soil on them into their mouths. Children can be exposed to lead by eating and drinking food or water containing lead or from dishes or glasses that contain lead, inhaling lead dust from lead-based paint or lead-contaminated soil or from playing with toys with lead paint.  Even small amounts of lead can cause learning and behavior problems in children such as lower IQ, attention disorders, delayed growth, impaired hearing and more.   Lead can also be dangerous to a baby during pregnancy.

Ohio Lead Testing Requirements

These requirements apply to all children in Ohio under the age of six years. There is no “safe” level of lead in the blood – any confirmed level is an indication that the child has been exposed.
Children should be tested at age 1 and 2 years, or up to 6 years if no previous test has been done, based on the following criteria:

  • If the child is on Medicaid, he/she must be tested according to Ohio and Medicaid Rules.
  • If the child resides in a high-risk zip code he/she must be tested according to Ohio law.  Every zip code in Crawford County has been identified as a high-risk zip code.

If the parent(s) responds “yes” or the answer is unknown to one or more of the questions below, the child must be tested:

  • Does the child live in or regularly visit a residential unit, child care facility, or school built before 1950?
  • Does the child live in or regularly visit a residential unit, child care facility, or school built before 1978 that has deteriorated paint?
  • Does the child live in or regularly visit a residential unit built before 1978 with recent, ongoing, or planned renovation/remodeling?
  • Does the child have a sibling or playmate that has or did have lead poisoning?
  • Does the child come in frequent contact with an adult who has a lead-related hobby, or occupation?
  • Does the child live near an active/former lead smelter, battery recycling plant, or other industry known to generate airborne lead dust?

Where can I get more information about lead?

Call 1-877-LEADSAFE (532-3723) for more information about childhood lead poisoning and precautions for home renovation work.

Visit the Ohio Department of Health website https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/childhood-lead-poisoning/for-parents

Visit the Environmental Protection Agency website https://www.epa.gov/lead/learn-about-lead