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Adopt and present a resolution recognizing October 21- 27, 2018 as Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (Supervisor Hannigan Brown)
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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 (H&SS) recommends that the Board adopt and present a resolution recognizing October 21 - 27, 2018 as Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week.
SUMMARY:
The California Department of Public Health, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch sponsors the fourth week of October as National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. Solano County’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program joins in this statewide effort with this year’s theme: “Dust and dirt with lead can hurt. Keep kids away from lead where they play.” The purpose of this recognition is to raise awareness about prevention of childhood lead poisoning and the recommended resolution will assist in raising awareness in Solano County.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2018/19 Adopted Budget. The costs associated with preparation and purchase of the resolution materials and plaque are included in the Board’s FY2018/19 Adopted Budget. There is no additional financial impact to the County General Fund.
DISCUSSION:
The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Acts of 1986 and 1989 confirmed that childhood lead exposure was the most significant environmental health problem in California for children. Local Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Programs were instructed to utilize prevention measures to reduce the incidence of childhood lead exposure in California. The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act of 1991 reconfirmed California's commitment to lead poisoning prevention. The California Department of Public Health, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch provides local programs with blood lead screening protocols and resources for identification and management of lead exposed children that have assisted in the reduction of childhood lead exposures.
Lead poisoning can permanently harm a child’s nervous system and brain when they are still forming and make it hard for children to learn, pay attention and succeed in school. Higher amounts of lead exposure can damage the nervous system, kidneys, and other major organs. Childhood lead poisoning is preventable by taking steps to stop children and pregnant women from coming into contact with lead. These steps include washing hands, washing toys, wiping and cleaning windowsills and floors, and keeping painted surfaces in good condition. It may require abatement of a home to remove sources of lead exposure. It is also important to be aware of recalled products that may contain lead, especially toys, home remedies or powders used in cultural practices, such as sindoor, surma and turmeric.
There are no safe or normal levels of lead in the body. Young children less than six years of age are at greatest risk, especially children ages 12 to 24 months of age, because they often have their hands or toys in their mouth. Pregnant women with elevated lead levels may also pass it to their unborn child. Lead poisoned children usually have no evident symptoms. However, recent research shows that even at low blood levels, lead poisoning is linked to anemia, hyperactivity, learning/behavior problems, and hearing loss. Children at risk of lead poisoning should be tested at both 12 months and 24 months. Free blood lead testing is available for children who receive services from Medi-Cal or the Child Health and Disability Prevention Program, and private health insurance also usually covers the test. Additionally, children three to six years old who are at risk and were not tested at an earlier age should have a blood lead test. It is important to identify sources of lead in a child’s daily life in order to reduce lead exposure.
Solano County Public Health’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program and Resource Management’s Environmental Health Program continue to find environmental, cultural and commercial product sources of lead in the community. In FY 2017/18, 124 new cases of children with elevated blood lead levels were reported, an increase of 12% over the previous year. Eight of these children met the State case threshold which requires environmental investigation and a home visit by the public health nurse. The remaining children are being monitored. The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program mailed 104 letters to clients with educational packets regarding lead poisoning; 96 Solano County healthcare providers were contacted regarding follow-up lead testing needed for clients; and 81 children were removed from the program as their blood lead levels dropped below the level at which intervention is needed. With prevention education, nutrition intervention and case management, these families are educated to improve the health of their child. With funding from the California Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch, Solano County’s Environmental Health Program continues to test additional houses suspected of causing low to moderate lead levels in children. In FY 2017/18, 11 environmental investigations were conducted by Environmental Health, with lead sources found in paint and soil in the interior and exterior of five homes. Five environmental investigations were required to achieve clearance. The most common lead sources are lead-contaminated paint and soil.
During October 21 - 27, 2018, the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, Public Health Nursing and Environmental Health staff will recognize Lead Poisoning Prevention Week with a media campaign that will include outreach to public libraries, Child Health and Disability Prevention providers, and other agencies serving children and pregnant women.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to adopt this resolution recognizing Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. This is not recommended because this resolution supports efforts to improve the health and well-being of families in Solano County.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
H&SS manages the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. Services are provided in partnership with the Solano County Department of Resource Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION