San Bernardino Public Health promotes awareness of childhood lead poisoning

San Bernardino County Department of Public Health commemorated Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week with a week-long information campaign about childhood lead poisoning issues. This year’s campaign message was, “There’s lead in that?”

Campaign highlights included webinars, social media posts, distribution of informational resources and banner displays in the cities of Colton, Fontana and Ontario. 

Lead poisoning can seriously affect a child’s brain and nervous system. It can cause learning and behavioral problems. A blood test is the only way to identify lead poisoning in children.

“The purpose of this campaign is to remind parents that lead poisoning can be detrimental to young children’s health and development. It’s important for parents to ask their child’s doctor about blood lead testing,” said County Health Officer Dr. Michael Sequeira.

In California, children can be exposed to lead by ingesting lead-contaminated dust, paint chips from deteriorating lead-based paint and lead-contaminated soil. Other sources of lead poisoning include lead dust brought home on parents’ work clothes, certain imported ceramic pottery, painted objects, traditional home remedies, traditional cosmetics and imported spices, candies and other food products. Additionally, activities that involve lead products such as soldering, creation of stained glass and the handling of fishing sinkers and bullets can put children at risk.

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