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Adopt and present a resolution recognizing October 20-26, 2019 as National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week in Solano County (Chairwoman 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 adopt a resolution recognizing October 20-26, 2019 as National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week in Solano County.
SUMMARY:
Solano County’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program joins efforts of the California Department of Public Health Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in recognizing the fourth week of October as National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. This year’s theme is: “Dust and dirt with lead can hurt, keep kids away from lead where they play.” The purpose of this resolution is to increase the community’s awareness about childhood lead poisoning and prevention efforts in Solano County.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and are absorbed by the Department’s FY2019/20 Adopted Budget. The costs associated with preparation and purchase of the resolution materials and plaque are included in the Board’s FY2019/20 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) is a program in the Health and Social Services Department - Public Health Division. CLPPP works to promote routine blood lead testing for at-risk children and to prevent exposures to lead for all Solano County families. With funding from the California Department of Public Health Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch, CLPPP provides home visits by a Public Health Nurse and environmental investigations by an Environmental Health Specialist to families of children meeting the State case threshold for lead poisoning. Depending on the case, a complete physical, psychological and environmental assessment of the child and family may be necessary.
In FY2018/19, 114 new children were reported to have elevated lead levels in their blood in Solano County. This is a slight decrease from FY2017/18, when 124 new cases were reported. The CLPPP provided education and outreach to families and primary care providers involved in each confirmed case. Due to sustained elevated blood lead levels, case management was continued for ten of the children that were reported to CLPPP in prior years. Three environmental investigations were conducted by the Department of Resource Management Division of Environmental Health Services and lead was found in paint and dust in the interior of one home. The other two residences had no detectable lead in the home environment. All families were provided with recommendations to reduce lead exposure in their children’s environment.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no safe level of lead in the body. Pregnant women with elevated lead levels may pass lead to their unborn child. Children six years of age and under are at increased risk for lead poisoning due to rapid brain growth and because they often put their hands and other objects in their mouths. Children living at or below the poverty level and some racial and ethnic groups are at greater risk of lead poisoning because they often reside in older housing. According to the National Safety Council, most children with lead poisoning have lived in homes built before 1978, when paint in homes was known to contain lead.
Deteriorating or disturbed lead-based paint can create lead contaminated dust that is harmful if inhaled or swallowed. Even very small amounts of lead can harm a child’s brain, nerves and kidneys, potentially impacting how they learn, pay attention and behave. Lead poisoned children usually have no symptoms. The only way to check for lead poisoning is to have a blood lead test administered by a medical provider. Children with a risk of exposure to lead should be tested at both 12 and 24 months of age. Children three to six years of age who are at risk and have not been tested at an earlier age should also have a blood lead test. It is important to find and address any sources of lead in a child’s daily life in order to reduce lead exposures. Lead poisoning is preventable. The key is to keep children from coming into contact with lead.
In addition to exposures to lead contaminated dusts and soil, which represent the most common sources of lead for children, parents and other adults in a household can sometimes bring lead home from work where lead dust can settle on hair, clothes and shoes. If a person works at painting and remodeling sites, with radiator repairs, recycling scrap metal, with batteries, soldering, pottery making, and target shooting, clothes should be changed before getting into a car or entering a home. A child can also be exposed to lead from some home remedies (e.g. bright orange, yellow or white powders for a stomach ache), make-ups (Kohl, Khali, Surma, or Sindoor), foods or spices (chapulines or turmeric), fishing sinkers, lead solder, some traditional pottery, antique water crocks or dishes, some metal jewelry, and some toys.
With the recent settlement of the lead exposure nuisance lawsuit brought by Solano County and nine other local jurisdictions against multiple paint manufacturers, Solano County will be provided with funds to identify and abate lead hazards in homes of children in the County.
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 partnership with the Department of Resource Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION