Lead Poisoning Prevention

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Last updated: 7/19/24 

What is lead poisoning?

Lead poisoning happens when someone’s exposure to lead causes illness. It is measured by the amount of lead in the blood. If someone has high levels in their blood, healthcare providers can provide medication to help remove it.

How can this affect my child’s health?

Lead poisoning can affect anyone, but children are most at risk. Exposure to lead can cause irreversible damage and can change children’s intelligence, behavior, and health. It is important to prevent it if possible, and treat it if exposed.

How can children be exposed to lead?

Lead can be found in many places. Most commonly, children can ingest dust from lead-based paint. Lead-based paint was used in most homes built before 1978. In Stamford, many homes were built before 1978.

Other common routes of exposure include drinking water, jewelry and pottery, job-based exposure, and using imported consumer goods, such as toys or candies.

Other lead sources

Lead can be found in drinking water, but this is not common in Stamford. It is still important to let the tap water run for 1 minute before you use it. This will help clear out the lead from old plumbing. Use only cold tap water for drinking, cooking, and preparing infant formula.  

It is important to use lead-free dishes and pots. Lead is more likely to be in pottery from Latin America, the Middle East, India, and in painted china. Lead can be found in toys, jewelry, antiques, and collectible items. 

Lastly, lead can be found in some candies, candy wrappers, spices, cosmetics, traditional medicines, and ceremonial or religious powders purchased or brought from outside the United States.  

What should I do if I think my child has been exposed to lead?

Call your child’s health care provider. They can order a blood test to measure their exposure level. For more information about child blood lead testing in CT, check out this page. In Connecticut, every child between ages 9 months and 35 months must be tested for lead poisoning each year.

What should I do if I think there is lead in my home?

  • If you are a tenant and have concerns about lead in your apartment, contact the owner/agent to have it tested. 
  • If you or your child have been exposed to lead-based paint in the home, the owner/agent is responsible for removing the lead and making the environment safe for their residents.

For more information about lead testing, call 203-977-5652.

For more information about lead for homeowners, check out this resource from the CT Department of Public Health. 

What should I do if I think there is lead in my drinking water?

You should have your water professionally tested. If you have concerns about your water, call the Stamford Department of Health and Human Services Laboratory for more information on water testing - 203-977-5652.

Do not use the water for drinking, eating, or making baby formula until it is tested. You can still use the water to bathe and shower. For other steps you can take, check this factsheet from the CT Department of Public Health.

 

Need more information?

Contact Us: 203-977-5652

To learn more, check out our guide as well as these resources:

Connecticut Department of Public Health Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

Environmental Protection Agency - Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - About Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention

 

Sources: CDC, 2022; EPA, 2021; CTDPH