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.