lead poisoning for local health officers eric frohmberg childhood lead poisoning prevention program

Lead Poisoning for Local Health Officers

Eric Frohmberg

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

What does lead poisoning mean?

• It’s real – good studies over the last 30 years

• No safe level in blood

• Lead hurts brain development

• Harder for kids to learn

• Changes how they learn

• Changes behavior

• It costs money – lots of money

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How does lead poisoning happen?

• Dust from lead paint.

• Greatest exposure is when children are most sensitive

• Children’s natural behavior

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

• Education and outreach to prevent poisonings

• Enforce the Lead Poisoning Control Act

• Work with pediatricians on blood lead testing

• Monitor lead poisonings and data in the State

Roles for LHOs

• May get questions – what are resources and where to refer individuals

• May see hazards – again, how refer and availability of programs

In this presentation:

• Tina Bernier of the Maine CDC on the link between housing and lead poisonings

• Tina Bernier of the Maine CDC and Beth Chase of the Department of Environmental Protection on Lead Laws and Rules.

• Karyn Butts of the Maine CDC on resources and programs available for the public and yourselves.