lead poisoning

Keep Kids Safe from Lead: National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

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child and mother playing

Lead poisoning is entirely preventable, and a few simple steps this fall can protect a child for life. National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week runs October 25–31, and this year's theme, "Keep Kids Safe from Lead," comes down to three actions: get the facts, get your child tested, and get your home tested.

Why does this matter close to home? Lead is a toxic metal that can harm a child's developing brain and body, and children under 6 are the most vulnerable. Many children who have been exposed show no symptoms at all, so a family can't count on spotting a problem by sight. Across the country, the Centers for Disease Control estimates that about 2.6 million households with young children have lead-based paint hazards. Our communities, many of which have older homes, are not exempt.

The Uncas Health District is marking the week by sharing what every parent, grandparent, caregiver, and landlord should know. Here is how to put each of the three messages to work.

Get the Facts

The most common source of lead exposure for children is paint. Homes built before 1978, when lead-based paint was banned for residential use, may still have it. Connecticut's own childhood lead surveillance data point the same way: deteriorated lead paint is the most common source found when the state investigates a child's home.

It usually isn't a child chewing on a painted wall. More often, old paint on windows, doors, and porches wears down into fine dust that settles on floors and sills. Babies and toddlers put their hands and toys in their mouths, and that dust goes with them. Lead can also be found in:

  • Soil near older buildings, especially around the foundation, where exterior paint has flaked away
  • Household dust, which can be stirred up by renovation, sanding, or opening and closing old windows
  • Drinking water, where older plumbing, lead service lines, or fixtures contain lead
  • Certain imported items, such as some traditional remedies, cosmetics, ceramics, and toys

The health effects are what make this worth acting on. Lead can affect learning, attention, and behavior, and the damage cannot be reversed. There is no known safe level of lead in a child's blood. That is why Connecticut lowered its blood lead reference value from 5 to 3.5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) on January 1, 2023, so more children are identified early, while there is still time to act.

Get Your Child Tested

A blood lead test is the only way to know whether a child has been exposed. Because most children with elevated lead levels look and act healthy, the test, not a checklist of symptoms, is what finds the problem.

Connecticut requires universal blood lead screening. According to the state's guidance for health care providers, children should be tested every year between 9 and 35 months of age. Children ages 36 to 72 months who have never been tested should be tested, as should older children at higher risk, including those enrolled in Medicaid or living in a town with elevated risk factors. Any child under 6 can be tested if a provider has a concern.

The test itself is quick. A nurse or doctor takes a small blood sample, often from a finger prick. If the result is at or above 3.5 mcg/dL, a second sample from a vein is drawn to confirm it, and the child is retested on a schedule until the level comes down. Results below 3.5 mcg/dL do not require follow-up testing, but it's a good time to talk with your provider about keeping the number low.

What to do next:

  • Ask at your child's next checkup whether a lead test is on file, especially around ages 1 and 2
  • If you aren't sure, call your pediatrician's office and ask for the date and result
  • If a test comes back elevated, follow your provider's retesting schedule and contact us. The health district works with the state and your provider to look for the source in the home

A higher-than-normal result is not a reason to panic. Families who find out early can remove the source, improve nutrition (foods with iron, calcium, and vitamin C help limit lead absorption), and keep a close watch on retests.

Get Your Home Tested

The quickest first check is the year your home was built. If it went up before 1978, it may contain lead-based paint, and the risk is highest where paint is chipping, peeling, or rubbing against itself, such as window frames, door jambs, stairs, and porches.

To find out for sure, hire a certified lead inspector or risk assessor, who can test paint, dust, and soil. Home test kits from a hardware store can be a starting point, but they can miss lead, so a professional result is the one to rely on. Drinking water is tested separately. Contact your public water supplier or a state-certified laboratory to ask about testing, particularly if you have older plumbing or a private well.

A few ground rules for homes that may have lead paint:

  • Don't sand, scrape, or burn off old paint yourself. It creates exactly the dust that harms children
  • For renovations or repairs in a pre-1978 home, hire a contractor certified in lead-safe work practices
  • Keep children and pregnant women out of the work area until it has been cleaned up properly
  • Renters and buyers have rights too: landlords and sellers of pre-1978 housing must disclose any known lead-based paint hazards

If testing finds lead, you have options that don't always mean a full gut job. Repairing peeling paint, covering surfaces, replacing worn windows, and thorough cleaning can all reduce the risk. A licensed lead abatement professional can advise on what makes sense for your home.

Steps You Can Take Today

While you wait for test results or schedule an inspection, everyday habits make a real difference:

  • Wash children's hands before meals, naps, and bedtime, and wash toys and pacifiers often
  • Wet-mop floors and wipe window sills and other flat surfaces with a damp cloth. Dry sweeping and vacuuming without a HEPA filter can spread dust
  • Take shoes off at the door so lead in soil stays outside
  • Run cold tap water for 30 seconds to two minutes before using it for drinking or cooking if the water has sat in the pipes for hours, and use only cold water for baby formula and cooking
  • Serve regular meals with iron, calcium, and vitamin C, which help the body absorb less lead
  • Check for recalls of children's products and avoid imported items, including some cosmetics, spices, and remedies, if you aren't sure what is in them

Where to Get Help

This week, pick one action: check your child's lead test record, look up the age of your home, or share this post with a neighbor who has young children. Each one is a small step toward a lead-safe community.

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Protecting Your Household from Risks with Wells, Septics, Household Hazards, and Lead

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Hazard tape reads 'DANGER LEAD HAZARD WORK AREA KEEP OUT' in foreground as two workers in protective hazmat suits work near a house window in the background.

Environmental health begins at home. The systems and materials we rely on every day — private wells, septic systems, household products, and older housing materials — can affect health and safety when they are not properly maintained or managed. In Eastern Connecticut, where many homes rely on private wells and septic systems and older housing remains common, prevention and routine maintenance are essential for protecting your household.

Private Wells Require Ongoing Attention

For households served by a private well, water quality should never be assumed. As noted in the Uncas Health District’s well water information, regular testing is important because water quality can change over time, and appearance alone does not indicate whether water is safe. Annual testing, as well as additional follow-up after flooding, repairs, or noticeable changes in taste, odor, or appearance, can help identify concerns before they become health risks.

In southeastern Connecticut, well owners should also be aware of local conditions that may affect groundwater quality. Flooding, stormwater intrusion, runoff, impacts from nearby septic systems, and certain historic or current land uses can all affect private well safety.

PFAS and Emerging Water Quality Concerns

One emerging issue for private well owners is PFAS, a group of chemicals that persist in the environment and may affect drinking water sources. The Connecticut Institute of Water Resources at UConn provides helpful information about PFAS testing, why these substances are a concern, and when testing may be appropriate for private wells. Staying informed about groundwater risks is an important step in protecting household water quality.

Septic Systems Are Part of Home Environmental Health

Septic systems are another important part of home environmental health. When properly maintained, they help safely manage wastewater and protect groundwater quality. When neglected, they can contribute to contamination and create both environmental and public health concerns. Routine inspections, pumping as needed, water conservation, and proper disposal practices all play an important role in keeping a septic system functioning effectively.

Everyday Household Habits Matter

Environmental health also includes the choices made inside the home every day. Improperly disposing of grease, chemicals, medications, or non-flushable products can damage septic systems and introduce hazards into the home environment. Small steps—such as using household chemicals carefully, storing hazardous products safely, and avoiding improper disposal—can help reduce risks and protect both indoor and outdoor environmental health.

Lead Safety in Older Homes

Lead safety is another critical part of maintaining a healthy home, particularly in older housing. Connecticut’s Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Program provides important guidance to residents on the dangers of lead exposure and the steps they can take to prevent it. Lead remains a serious health concern, especially for young children and pregnant individuals, and there is no safe level of lead exposure.

Older homes are especially important to monitor because lead-based paint was commonly used before 1978. As painted surfaces deteriorate—or are disturbed during repair or renovation—lead dust can be released into the home. Windows, doors, trim, porches, and other high-friction surfaces can be common sources of exposure. The state’s lead prevention program offers resources for homeowners, families, and contractors to help identify hazards and reduce exposure.

Renovations Can Increase Risk

Renovation work in older homes should be approached carefully. Sanding, scraping, demolition, and window replacement can all disturb lead-based paint if proper precautions are not taken. Using lead-safe work practices and qualified professionals can help reduce the spread of hazardous dust and keep household members safer during home improvement projects. Homeowners planning work on pre-1978 housing should review the state’s lead safety and prevention guidance before beginning a project.

Prevention Starts at Home

Residents are encouraged to think of environmental health as an ongoing part of home maintenance rather than something addressed only when a problem arises. Annual well testing, awareness of PFAS and groundwater risks, regular septic maintenance, safer handling of household products, and lead-safe renovation practices can all help reduce preventable hazards at home.

Protecting health at home often begins with awareness. By staying informed and taking preventive steps, households can help safeguard their drinking water, living environment, and long-term well-being. For more information, residents can learn more about PFAS testing through UConn’s Connecticut Institute of Water Resources and access the state’s Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Program.

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CPSC Reports 154K Toy-Related ER Visits in 2023, 10 Deaths

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child chewing on toy

As the holiday season approaches, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges consumers to put safety at the top of the list while cooking, decorating, and toy buying. In addition, CPSC reminds families to take precautions, whether shopping online or in-person, to keep family and friends safe from common holiday-related hazards. CPSC’s latest Toy-Related Deaths and Injuries report reveals that in 2023, an estimated 154,700 children 12 years or younger were treated in emergency rooms due to toy-related injuries, and 10 children died in toy-related incidents.

Other key findings from the report include:

Toy-related ER-treated injuries from 2016 to 2023

  • Decreased by nearly 5% for children under 15 from 175,600 to 167,500
  • Decreased by nearly 8% for children under 13 from 167,800 to 154,700

Non-motorized scooters 

  • Accounted for the largest share of injuries in 2023 (53,000) across all age groups
  • Are involved in more than one in every five toy-related injuries for children under 15

Toy-Related Deaths

The majority of toy-related death were related to:

  • Choking on small balls or crayons
  • Drownings linked to flotation toys
  • Entrapment inside a toy chest
  • Ingestion of water beads

Injury diagnoses

  • Lacerations were the most common toy-related injury for all ages
  • Contusions/abrasions and fractures were the second and third most common for all ages
  • Contusions/abrasions and internal injuries were the second and third most common diagnoses for children under 15 years old
  • Ingestion and internal injuries were the second and third most common diagnoses for children under 5 years old

“From online shopping to in-person gatherings, safety and protecting our children should be a top priority this holiday season,” said CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric. “By being mindful of product hazards, checking for recalls and purchasing from reputable sources, you can protect your loved ones and ensure a joyous and accident-free holiday for all.”

CPSC is highlighting the following additional safety tips for safe and happy holiday activities including toy-buying, cooking and decorating.

Dangerous or Illegal Toys

CPSC, in collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), seized nearly 1.6 million dangerous or illegal toys in fiscal year 2024. Of those, nearly 101,900 toy seizures were related to lead content.

Wrap your holiday with a protective bow with these giving gift safety tips:

  • Follow age guidance and other safety information on toy packaging and choose toys that match each child’s interests and abilities.
  • Get safety gear, including helmets, for scooters and other riding toys–and make sure that children use them every time.
  • Keep small balls and toys with small parts away from children younger than age 3 and keep deflated balloons away from children younger than age 8.
  • Once the gifts are open, immediately discard plastic wrappings or other packaging on toys before they become dangerous playthings.

Holiday Cooking

The largest share of the 352,400 annual residential fires are cooking related (45%), according to CPSC’s report on Residential Fire and Loss Estimates. Cooking fires spike on Thanksgiving Day with an average of 1,400 cooking fires – more than three times the daily average of cooking fires. CPSC data also shows that Black Americans have the highest rate of deaths from fire, nearly twice the overall rate across the population.

Prep holiday cooking with these tips for a safe and fire-free holiday season:

  • Never leave cooking food unattended on the stove or in the oven.
  • Only fry a turkey outside and away from your home or other flammable materials. Never use turkey fryers in an enclosed area like the garage or on the porch.

Holiday Decorations

There are about 160 Christmas decorating-related injuries each day during the holiday season, with nearly half of the injuries involving falls. In the 2023 holiday season (Nov. 1, 2022 – Jan. 31, 2023), about 14,900 people were treated in emergency rooms due to holiday decorating-related injuries.

Keep holiday decorating safe, festive, and bright with these helpful tips:

  • Water your live Christmas tree and look for the “Fire Resistant” label when buying an artificial tree.
  • Never leave candles unattended. Keep burning candles in sight, away from flammable items and put them out before leaving the room. Use flameless candles whenever possible.
  • Never string together more than three sets of incandescent lights and never overload electrical outlets.

Online Toy Shopping

  • Know your seller. Purchase toys from stores and online retailers you know and trust.
  • When purchasing toys and games online that contain small parts, balls, marbles and balloons, look for a choking hazard warning statement on the firm’s advertising page about these products.

Visit CPSC’s Holiday Safety Information Center for more holiday safety tips, as well as a sharable Holiday Safety video, poster and b-roll that show the serious risks posed by using a turkey fryer too close to the home, a dry Christmas tree, and burning candles near flammable items.

Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.

Learn More About Lead Testing for Children

Press Release: Governor Lamont Announces Launch of the Lead Free CT Campaign to Protect Children From the Harmful Health Impacts of Lead

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infant looking out of a window

Governor Ned Lamont announced Wednesday the launch of Lead Free CT, a new campaign overseen by the Connecticut Department of Public Health with the goal of protecting children from the harmful health impacts of lead and creating a lead-free Connecticut.

Its objectives of include:

  • Making older homes where children or pregnant people live lead safe;
  • Collecting information on all known lead service water lines in Connecticut;
  • Replacing lead pipes that bring water to homes, childcare centers, and schools;
  • Supporting families who find lead in their home or water;
  • Offering funding to get Connecticut communities lead-free;
  • Having all Connecticut children tested for lead;
  • Raising awareness of lead testing and safety among parents; and
  • Educating communities, contractors, and landlords on lead laws and safety.

A key component of the Lead Free CT campaign includes the launch of a lead abatement program, which is providing homeowners and landlords with the opportunity to make older homes lead-safe by removing lead paint hazards at no cost. Funded by $20 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, this limited-time program will help in the safe removal of lead hazards from homes, including family childcare settings. Participation in this program is entirely voluntary and free of charge to homeowners and landlords. The Connecticut Department of Public Health is partnering with the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center to administer the program.

To view eligibility details and apply, visit leadfreect.org. This is a limited-time program, so those who are interested are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

“Every year, more than 1,000 Connecticut children are impacted by lead,” Governor Lamont said. “Lead poisoning can affect our children by causing health and brain changes that may impact them through school years and beyond – causing behavior problems, poor performance, and a risk of long-term, negative impacts. Based on the data of children tested in Connecticut, where blood lead levels trigger the requirement for environmental testing of the home, lead-based paint and lead dust in pre-1978 homes are the largest contributors to childhood lead exposure in homes.”

“Harmful lead exposure should not happen to any child,” Connecticut Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD, said. “It is 100% preventable. The Department of Public Health is investing in our communities so that every child can grow up safe from lead. Children under age six, and especially those aged one to three, are most vulnerable to lead exposure. In Connecticut, children of color and children from neighborhoods with high poverty rates are disproportionately impacted by these risks.”

“Connecticut has many beautiful houses, many of which were built prior to 1978,” Connecticut Public Health Deputy Commissioner Lisa Morrissey, MPH, said. “In these homes, windows, doors, walls, baseboards and railings were coated with lead-based paint. This is a unique opportunity to remove lead hazards before a child is exposed at home or in a childcare setting. The funding will ensure that children can grow up in a lead safe environment.”

“I am thrilled that we are partnering with the Connecticut Department of Public Health to help keep our children safe from lead exposure,” Jim Shmerling, DHA, FACHE, president and chief executive officer of Connecticut Children’s, said. “This initiative allows Connecticut residents to make their older homes lead safe. It’s a big step forward in protecting our kids and ensuring safe, stable homes for all families in our communities.”

“This $20 million initiative will ensure that more Connecticut families are growing, playing, and learning in safe, lead-free homes,” U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal said. “Lead poisoning can cause devastating and irreversible damage, especially to children, and I am thrilled to see federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars being used to tackle this critical health hazard. I applaud Governor Lamont and Commissioner Juthani for championing this program and making a real difference in the lives and health of Connecticut families.”

“We passed the American Rescue Plan in Congress to ensure states and communities had the resources they needed to recover from the pandemic and bolster public health,” U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) said. “Lead is far too commonly found in historic New England homes, leaving Connecticut’s children especially vulnerable to lead poisoning. I applaud Governor Lamont, the Connecticut Department of Public Health, and Connecticut Children’s for using this funding to assist homeowners with the removal of dangerous lead paint and take on the challenge of protecting our kids from lead poisoning and other dangerous toxins.”

“I applaud Governor Lamont’s efforts to rid Connecticut of harmful contaminants and mitigate fears of lead poisoning for children,” U.S. Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) said. “I am especially heartened that federal dollars provided by the American Rescue Plan Act will help state officials deliver this smart, comprehensive solution for Connecticut’s families.”

The Connecticut Department of Public Health plans for subsequent phases of the Lead Free CT campaign to include community engagement for lead service line replacement and testing drinking water for lead at daycares and schools.

For more information, visit leadfreect.org.

Get the Lead Out: Testing and Screening for Lead Exposure

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chid with toy in his mouth

Lead poisoning is a serious health concern, especially for young children whose bodies and minds are still developing. Exposure to lead can have long-lasting negative consequences, including:

  • Learning and behavior problems: Difficulty concentrating, hyperactivity, and decreased IQ.
  • Developmental delays: Growth problems and delayed speech and language development.
  • Hearing and vision problems: Lead exposure can even impact a child’s hearing and vision.

Unfortunately, lead is still present in our environment, and in Connecticut, this is of particular concern. Around 70% of the state’s housing stock was built before 1980, and lead paint was commonly used in homes constructed prior to 1978. This means the potential for lead exposure exists in many homes across Connecticut.

The only way to know if your child has been exposed to lead is through a blood test administered by a healthcare provider. Thankfully, Connecticut has taken a crucial step by mandating universal blood lead screening. This means all children in the state are required to be tested at least twice between the ages of 9 months and 35 months.

However, while this initial screening is crucial, only about 60% of children in Connecticut receive the recommended two tests before the age of 3. This is concerning because lead exposure can occur at any time during this critical developmental window.

Here’s what you can do to protect your child:

  • Know your home’s history. If your home was built before 1978, consider getting it tested for lead paint. You can find resources and information on lead testing at https://portal.ct.gov/dph/Environmental-Health/Lead-Poisoning-Prevention-and-Control/Lead-Poisoning-Prevention-and-Control-Program.
  • Schedule regular blood lead tests for your child. Talk to your pediatrician about getting your child tested at the recommended intervals, even if you don’t suspect lead exposure.
  • Be aware of potential sources of lead exposure. While lead paint is the most common source, lead can also be found in soil, dust, and even some imported toys, foods, and products.

By taking these steps, we can work together to protect our children from the dangers of lead poisoning and ensure they have the healthy environment they need to thrive. Let’s make sure every child in Connecticut has the opportunity for a healthy start in life.

RECALL ALERT: Children’s Rhinestone Silver Tiaras Found to Contain Lead

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The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced the recall of about 12,400 Yaomaio children’s rhinestone silver tiaras because they contain lead levels above the federal limit. The tiara with red rhinestones was sold in a package with three other tiara styles (blue, purple, and clear) that are not included in the recall. All four tiaras came in the same cardboard packaging marked “Yaomaio.” Amazon sold them between January 2021 and November 2023 for about $19 a package. Consumers should immediately take the recalled tiaras away from their children, stop using them, and contact LordRoadS for a refund. LordRoadS and Amazon are contacting all known purchasers.

recalled tiara

 

Name of Product: Yaomiao Children’s Rhinestone Silver Tiaras
Hazard: The rhinestones embedded in the recalled tiaras contain levels of lead that exceed the federal lead content ban. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.
Remedy: Refund
Recall Date: January 25, 2024
Units: About 12,440