Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

#2023-10.2
Contact: István Fazekas
Public Information Officer
ifazekas@sjcphs.org | (209) 468-8584

Stockton, CA (October 23, 2023) – San Joaquin County Public Health Services (PHS) recognizes Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, October 22 - October 28 with the theme, “Protect your family from all sources of lead air pollution, including aircraft and shooting ranges.”

Working with our partners at California Department of Public Health’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPB), Lead Week is a national, annual campaign during the last full week of October to bring awareness to and prevent childhood lead exposure.

In San Joaquin County, for the three-month sample period from July to September 2023, there were 92 cases of high lead levels discovered from blood tests in children ranging from one-year to seventeen-years of age.

“Lead poisoning can adversely affect a child’s brain and nervous system, causing learning and behavioral problems,” states Dr. Maggie Park, Public Health Officer. “A blood lead test is the only way to identify lead poisoning in children. The purpose of this campaign is to remind parents that lead poisoning can be detrimental to young children’s health and development. It is important for parents to ask their child’s doctor about blood lead testing.”

In California, children can be exposed to lead by ingesting lead-contaminated dust, paint chips from deteriorating lead-based paint (especially in houses built before 1978), and lead-contaminated soil. If families live near an airport, they may be exposed to lead air pollution from the use of leaded aviation fuel in small aircraft. Other sources of lead poisoning include: lead dust brought home on parents' work clothes, certain imported ceramic pottery, lead painted objects, traditional home remedies, and traditional cosmetic products. Additionally, lead can be found in various imported items like spices, candies, and food products. Some common activities that involve lead products can promote exposure and put children at risk, such as soldering, making stained glass decorations, and even handling ammunition and lead fishing sinkers.

For more information on how to protect your child from this silent environmental disease, visit clppp.sjcphs.org and www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP. Parents and caregivers should ask their child’s doctor about a blood lead test.

For questions or more information, call CLPPP at 209-468-2593 or visit the website of the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program of San Joaquin County.