(ITHACA, NY, October 16, 2024) – For this year’s National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW), Tompkins County Whole Health (TCWH) invites the community to join us for an educational event in partnership with Eco-Testing and the Ithaca ReUse Center. The event will take place on Tuesday, October 22, from 2:30 pm-5:00 pm at the ReUse Center’s downtown location (214 Elmira Road, Ithaca). This event is free and open to the public.
TCWH staff from our Healthy Neighborhoods Program and certified lead assessors from our Environmental Health division will be on hand to answer questions about lead poisoning and prevention measures. Eco-Testing will be able to provide on the spot lead testing using an XRF (X-ray fluorescence) device, which is able to detect the presence of lead and does not impact the item being tested. Community members are encouraged to bring an item from their home to be tested. Items may include antiques, jewelry, painted toys, repurposed furniture, or ceramics.
TCWH Certified Lead Inspector Rene Borgella stated, “We encourage everyone to come out to this event to learn more about ways to avoid lead exposure in our homes and environment. Lead poisoning is serious but preventable. It’s important to be aware of lead paint in old houses and on windowsills and check those antiques to make sure they are safe for your family to use!”
National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week occurs each year and is an important reminder and call to action to increase lead poisoning prevention awareness to reduce childhood exposure to lead. In our region, children under six years old most often get lead poisoning from breathing in or swallowing dust from old lead paint that gets on floors and windowsills, hands, and toys.
In 1978, the United States banned lead-based paint, but many older homes still have lead-based paint present, often under layers of newer paint. In Tompkins County, close to 60% of housing structures were built prior to 1978 (2020 American Community Survey, 5-year estimates). Home renovation projects in older homes increase the risk of creating dust containing lead; special precautions are advised, including testing for lead prior to beginning projects, taking steps to mitigate and contain dust, and hiring a lead certified contractor. Learn more at: epa.gov/lead/lead-safe-renovations-diyers
Children in Tompkins County have been exposed to lead from additional sources, including take-home exposures from a workplace, lead in soil, imported products, and antiques. Some traditional medicines, ointments and cosmetics used by East Indian, Indian, Middle Eastern, West Asian and Hispanic cultures may contain lead. Spices used for cooking have been recalled due to high levels of lead as well as applesauce with contaminated cinnamon. Old toys and furniture, such as painted cribs and highchairs, often passed down through families, can be another source of exposure. Costume jewelry, especially imported painted items, have been tested and found to have high levels of lead.
All children should have their blood tested for lead levels at ages 1 and 2, as required by NYS law. Healthcare providers will offer this test at children’s well visits. It is important to test your home, test your children, and learn how to prevent the serious health effects from lead poisoning. Health effects from lead poisoning may include a lower IQ, hearing loss, kidney disease, and growth problems. If you have any concerns, speak to your health care provider or pediatrician about getting your child tested and other resources.
Despite the continued presence of lead in the environment, lead poisoning is preventable. Gail Birnbaum, Community Health Nurse at TCWH stated, “When there is healthy food in the body, it is more difficult for lead to be absorbed. Make sure your diet is rich in important nutrients such as calcium, iron and vitamin C. Additionally, simple actions like washing hands before eating and removing shoes when you come into the home are good ways to prevent exposure.”
Birnbaum continued, “In partnership with our Environmental Health colleagues who are certified lead assessors, we help parents identify sources of lead that may be the cause of lead poisoning, and we provide education on prevention and testing. NYS law and regulations require health care providers to test all children’s blood lead levels at ages one and two years.”
For more information on local lead poisoning prevention efforts, please visit our website: tompkinscountyny.gov/health/lead
For more information about National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website: cdc.gov/nceh/lead/national-lead-poisoning-prevention-week.htm
Visit the National Center for Healthy Housing for additional information and resources: nchh.org/build-the-movement/nlppw/
.
Media contact: Shannon Alvord, salvord@tompkins-co.org
-end-
