Making Connections

Although outlawed in paint since 1978, lead remains the most serious environmental threat for children, especially those 6 months to 6 years old.

Lead poisoning can cause a slowing of growth and learning as well as behavioral problems in kids, in addition to kidney damage, anemia and high blood pressure. It can also affect the reproductive organs.

Since 1991, there have been 4,662 confirmed cases of lead poisoning countywide, including 265 in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys, according to Cynthia Harding, who heads the Los Angeles County Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. As of June, cases are down 30% over the previous year, but that’s probably due to decreased lead-poisoning screening, Harding said.

To encourage more screening, the county is giving medical providers free instruction on how to do a finger-prick test, rather than the conventional blood-drawing method. Not only is it less expensive, but more convenient for families, many of whom have had to travel to a separate lab for the test.

Free blood testing is available for children of low-income families by calling (800) LA4-LEAD. More information is available at https://www.dhs.co.la.ca.us/phps/lead/programhtm on the Internet.