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Adopt and present a resolution recognizing October 22-28, 2023 as National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week in Solano County (Supervisor Hannigan)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ___ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ___ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health and Social Services recommends that the Board of Supervisors adopt and present a resolution recognizing October 22-28, 2023 as National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week in Solano County.
SUMMARY:
Solano County’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program proudly joins efforts of the California Department of Public Health’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch in recognizing the fourth week of October as National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. This year’s theme is “Together, we can prevent lead exposure!” and is a call to parents, caregivers, organizations, industries, tribes, State/local governments, and communities to reduce childhood exposure to lead by increasing lead poisoning prevention awareness.
Lead is a toxic metal which can have harmful effects on the body, even in small amounts, and there are no safe levels of lead exposure. Lead poisoning is one of the most common environmental illnesses in California but is completely preventable. Through outreach, education and surveillance efforts, Solano residents can stay informed, raise awareness, and decrease the incidence of lead poisoning in Solano County communities.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing this agenda item are nominal and are included in the Department’s FY2023/24 Working Budget. The costs associated with purchase and preparation of the resolution materials are included in the Board’s FY2023/24 Working Budget. There is no impact to the County General Fund.
DISCUSSION:
Among potential lead exposure sources are certain candies, spices, pottery, jewelry, toys, make-up, and ammunition for firearms. Lead may also be found in homes built before 1978 that have lead-based paint, in water from lead-based pipes, and in contaminated soil. This year’s theme is a call to bring together individuals, organizations, industry, and state and local governments to reduce childhood exposure to lead by increasing lead prevention awareness.
Those most at risk for lead exposure and harmful effects include children under six years of age, siblings of children with known blood lead elevation, and pregnant women who can pass lead through the placenta to their unborn baby. Unfortunately, health disparities persist and children living in poverty, low-income areas, and in poorly maintained or older homes are at an increased risk. Healthcare providers are encouraged to screen children to identify those at risk and report elevated blood lead levels to local health jurisdictions, such as Solano Public Health, for follow up.
In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated the reporting threshold for blood lead screening to a lower level, which significantly increased the number of reported potential cases with elevated blood lead levels. During FY2021/22, the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a recall of lead testing kits, which resulted in nearly eleven months of reduced testing and subsequent reporting. Lead test kits became available again during FY2022/23 and a sudden influx of cases were reported to Solano Public Health, which could be attributed not only to catch-up testing but also to the State’s lowering provider reporting criteria for blood lead levels. Over the past year, providers reported 159 elevated blood lead levels to Solano Public Health, of which one case met the State’s definition of a confirmed case, requiring nurse intervention and case management. Solano County’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, a collaboration between the Department of Health and Social Services, Public Health Division, and the Department of Resource Management, Environmental Health Division, is currently case managing 95 children with elevated blood lead levels.
To promote National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, October 22-28, 2023, program staff plan to highlight prevention messages on Solano Public Health’s social media pages, conduct community presentations, organize displays in County libraries, and offer prevention materials to healthcare providers to encourage them to do more screening and family education. In addition, prevention materials will be distributed in Solano County Public Health programs including Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, and Black Infant Health, County partners such as the Vallejo First 5 Center, and community partners including Child Start, Inc., Solano Families and Children Services, school nurses, and family resource centers. Over the coming year, the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program will also focus on outreach to provider offices to update medical staff on the new State guidelines while providing onsite training to ensure proper testing technique. Staff will also continue to participate in community outreach events, such as the Kindergarten Round-Up, with a goal of providing lead-poisoning prevention education to minimize risk factors to all Solano families.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to adopt and present this resolution recognizing the fourth week of October as National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. This is not recommended, because this resolution supports efforts to improve the health and well-being of families that live, learn, work, and play in Solano County.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program is managed by Solano County’s Health and Social Services Department, Public Health Division. Services are provided in collaboration with the Department of Resource Management. In addition, the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program works directly with local primary care medical providers to assure screening for lead poisoning risks and appropriate laboratory testing for lead poisoning is offered.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION