Lead Poisoning Awareness Week

During this last week of October (25-31), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have joined forces to raise awareness about lead poisoning.

About half a million children ages 1 to 5 years in the U.S. have high levels of lead in their blood and it can damage their health for life. The good news is that, among all environmental diseases, childhood lead poisoning is the most preventable.

Parents are encouraged to have their children tested for lead poisoning, check their home for lead and take steps to reduce lead exposure. The most affected homes are those that were painted before 1978, when lead-based paints were banned.

If you are interested in participating in the Lead Poisoning Awareness Week activities, get in touch with your state or local health department. These institutions also offer free blood-lead testing and can help you make your home a safer environment.

The campaign’s official website provides various resources to help communities spread the word. There you can find posters and flyers, sample press releases, web banners, sample social media topics, infographics and more.

This week, we encourage you to talk with your family, friends and community about the risks of lead poisoning in children living in older homes. For more useful safety tips, follow PuroClean on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.