Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention

Lead - Safe Virginia Program

Mission:

The goal of the program is to eradicate this condition among children under age six in Virginia. Technical assistance is provided statewide in the areas of medical and environmental assessments, provider training, public education and coalition building, with high-risk communities receiving grant funds.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is projected that elevated blood lead levels may affect an estimated 6700 children under age six in Virginia. Lead interferes with normal brain development and is associated with permanently reduced IQ, learning disabilities and behavioral disorders. The primary source is dust from lead-based paint in many of Virginia's 1.8 million homes built before 1978.

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CDC: You can Prevent Lead Poisoning

Parent Lead Fact Sheet

Virginia's High Risk Zip Codes

• Numerical
• By Locality

CDC Summary of All Lead Recalls

For more information click here.

New EPA Rule: Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule (R, R, & P Rule)

Effective December 22, 2008: "All persons performing renovations for compensation in target (pre-1978) housing or child-occupied facilities must provide Renovate Right to the owners and occupants before beginning renovations. This brochure will replace the previous required brochure Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home.

Renovate Right (English) (Spanish)

More information may be obtained at the EPA Web page at http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/lead/pubs/renovation.htm

The effective dates for the R, R, & P Rule can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/lead/pubs/effectivedates.htm

For more information click here.

National Toy Recall

Many parents are concerned about the recent spike in national recalls for toys containing unsafe levels of lead. Elevated lead levels are a serious health risk which can negatively impact children’s learning and behavior.
The Lead Safe Virginia Web page offers families valuable information about the lead and provides tips on how to keep homes "lead safe."

How about:
The Lead Safe Virginia Program Web site provides information to inform parents about lead hazards and tips on how they can protect their children.

To help you stay informed of the latest product recalls, visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

To see pictures of the recalled toys go to: http://service.mattel.com/us/recall.asp or call the Mattell recall hotline at 800-916-4498.

• Click here to watch WRIC Channel 8 News interview with Lead Safe Virginia Director Nancy Van Voorhis
• Click here to watch Good Morning America's interview with Dr. Chris Holstege, Medical Advisor for Lead-Safe Virginia
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
• CDC Summary of Lead Recalls