NationalLead PoisoningPrevention Week Toolkit

October 22–28, 2017

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Lead Poisoning BasicsHere are a few important facts to know about lead poisoning

and its devastating effects:

● AccordingtotheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention

(CDC),atleast4millionhouseholdshavechildrenlivingin

themwhoarebeingexposedtohighlevelsoflead.In

addition,approximately500,000Americanchildrenbetween

theagesof1–5havebloodleadlevelsabove5micrograms

perdeciliter(µg/dL),thelevelatwhichCDCrecommends

publichealthactionsbegin.

● Leadpoisoningispreventable.Thekeyistokeepchildren

fromcomingincontactwithlead.Ifchildrenarelead

poisoned,theymustbetreated.Learnhowtoprevent

children’sexposuretolead.

● Leadisahighlytoxicmetal,especiallyinyoungchildren.

Whenabsorbedintothebody,itcancausedamagetothe

brainandothervitalorgans,likethekidneys,nerves,and

blood.Thereisnosafeleveloflead.

Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2017Thethemeofthisyear’sNationalLeadPoisoningPreventionWeek(NLPPW)isLead-Free Kids for a Healthy Future.TheNLPPWCampaignaimstohelpindividuals,organizations,andstateandlocalgovernmentstoworktogethertoreducechildhoodexposuretolead.ThroughNLPPW,campaignorga-nizerscanhelpspreadthewordto:

1. Get Your Home Tested: Find outhowtominimizerisksof leadexposurebyhiringa certifiedprofessionaltotestolder homesforlead.

2. Get Your Child Tested:Asimple bloodtestcandetectlead. Consultyourdoctorforadviceon testingyourchildren.

3. Get the Facts: Find out about thehazardsoflead.

About National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2017

Get Your Home Tested

Get Your Child Tested

Get theFacts

Hellothere!

Thereareafewpeoplewho’dliketothankyouforpickingupthistoolkit.Allowmetogofirst:asadoctor,

I’veseenfirsthandthetragicconsequencesofchildhoodexposuretohazardouspaints,pipes,andbuilding

materials.Takingstepstoeliminatethesedangersfromourhomesisanobleandvitallyimportantmission.

Thankyouforbeingapartofit!

Second,thankyouonbehalfofourentireteamattheDepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopment,

especiallytheamazingpeopleintheOfficeofLeadHazardControlandHealthyHomes,whoworkevery

daytoensuresafe,healthy,affordablehousingforallAmericans.YoualsohavesomebigfansattheCenters

forDiseaseControlandtheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency,ourinvaluablepartnersduringNationalLead

PoisoningPreventionWeek.Byjoiningthefightagainstleadpoisoning,you’repitchinginwithoneofthe

bestteamsinWashington.

Finally,andmostimportantly,thenextgenerationofAmericansthankyouforyouractiontoday.Childrenwill

haveachancetogrowuphealthyandhappybecauseofyourserviceanddedicationtoeliminatingleadand

otherdangersfromtheirenvironment.

Gettingyourhomeandchildrentestedandlearningthefactsaboutleadpoisoningarethemostimportant

stepsyoucantakeintheefforttoensureallhomesinourcountryarehealthyhomes.

Thankyou,again,forjoiningus.

SecretaryBenCarson

A Message from the Secretary

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Steps for Success

1. Plan for Success! Developanactionplanandafewsimpleobjectivestoguideyourcommunityoutreach

andeducationeffortsduringNLPPW.Thestepsbelow

willhelp.

2. Combine efforts. Inviteexistingandpotentialpartnerstohelpidentifylocalneedsandmapoutactivities,

events,andinformation-distributionsitesappropriate

foryourcommunity.

3. Organize. Planinadvancetointegrateleadpoisoningactivitiesintoexistingcommunityactivities,orplantohold

yourownNLPPWevent.Thisisagreatopportunityto

collaboratewithotherstakeholdersornewpartners.

4. Get the Word Out Through Media. UsethecustomizablemediamaterialsinthistoolkittopromoteNLPPWactiv-

itiesandleadpoisoninginformationthroughtraditional

andsocialmedia.

5. Get the Word Out Through Information. Checkoutthistoolkit’slistingofeducationaltoolsandonline

resourcesforflyers,posters,andothermaterials

suitableforpublicdistributionduringNLPPWand

afterward.Inviteyourlocalnetworktohelpdistribute

information.

Now that you know more about the Know

the Facts! Be a Partner in Eliminating

Lead Hazards campaign, and have some

background information on lead exposure

and poisoning, it’s time to take action!

We share similar goals – to keep children,

families, and the community informed

about and safe from potential dangers.

Lead poisoning is a danger that is

easily preventable. This toolkit provides

customizable materials that you can

easily adapt and use to promote NLPPW

in your community. It also offers ideas

and activities to help you engage the

general public, as well as other

stakeholders concerned about keeping

the community safe.

Ultimately, it is your knowledge of and

commitment to the community that will

make this campaign a success. Use

the following steps as a guide.

Let’s Get Started

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● Leadcanbefoundinseveralplacesbothinsideand

outsideofthehome,includinginthewaterthattravels

throughleadpipesorinthesoilaroundahouse.

However,itismostlyfoundinlead-basedpaint,which

wasusedinhomesbefore1978.Leadpoisoningis

mostoftencausedbyaccidentlyswallowingor

breathingintheleaddustcreatedbyoldpaintthat

hascrackedandchipped.

● Childrenbecomeleadpoisonedby:

‣Puttingtheirhandsorotherlead-contaminated objectsintheirmouths,

‣Eatingpaintchipsfoundinhomesfrompeeling

orflakinglead-basedpaint,or

‣Playinginlead-contaminatedsoil.● Leadpoisoninginchildrencancause:

‣Damagetothebrainandnervoussystem ‣Learningandbehaviorproblems ‣Slowgrowthanddevelopment ‣Hearingandspeechproblems ‣Headaches

Somechildrenareatgreaterriskthanothers,including

thosewhoare:

● fromlow-incomefamilies,

● aremembersofracial-ethnicminoritygroups,

● arerecentimmigrants,

● liveinolder,poorlymaintainedrentalproperties,or

● haveparentswhoareexposedtoleadatwork.

TheOfficeofLeadHazardControlandHealthyHomes

(OLHCHH)withintheU.S.DepartmentofHousingand

UrbanDevelopment(HUD)hasresourcesavailableto

educatefamilies,communityorganizations,housing

professionalsandotherstakeholdersaboutthedangersof

leadpoisoning,howtofindoutandwhattodoaboutlead

inthehome,andimportantly,howtoprotectagainstit.

About National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2017

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● Wecanworktogethertoreduceandprevent humanhealthimpactsfromleadpaint.

● Newrequirementsforbloodleadlevelswhentesting children,ages1–5,meansthatmorechildrenarelikelytobeidentifiedashavingleadexposure,allowingparents,doctors,publichealthofficials,andcommu-nitiestotakeactionearliertoreducethechild’sfuture

exposuretolead.

● Familiesshouldgettheirchildrenandhometested if theythinktheirhomehaslead.Healthcareproviders cantestchildren’sbloodleadlevelswithasimple test.Acertifiedinspectororriskassessorsare trainedtocheckforleadinhomes.Alistingof certifiedinspectorscanbefoundatepa.gov/lead.

● Whenrenovating,repairing,orpainting,hireonly state-approvedLead-SafeCertifiedFirms.

● Knowledgeispower.Familiescanfindfree informationaboutleadexposureandpoisoning, aswellasstateandfederalprogramsthat conductsafeandreliableleadtestingonthe OLHCHH,CDC,andtheU.S.Environmental ProtectionAgencywebsites.

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Promoting NLPPW 2017

This section of the toolkit is designed to equip you with important key messages for promoting the NLPPW and discussing the issue of lead exposure, poisoning, and prevention. Don’t be shy about using both traditional and social media to get key messages out to the public. This section provides a sample article, press release, and social media content for dissemination to local media and placement on a variety of social media platforms.

Key Messages and Talking Points

● Leadexposurehasadverseeffectsonhumanhealth, especiallyforchildren.

● Thereisnoknownsafelevelofleadexposure.Evenlowlevelsofleadexposuremaycauselifelonghealthproblems.

● Leadistoxictomultiplebodysystems,includingthecentralnervoussystemandbrain;kidneys; andreproductive,cardiovascular,circulatory,andimmunesystems.

● Leadisespeciallydangeroustochildren’sdeveloping brainsandcausesreducedcognitiveabilityand attentionspan,impairedlearningaptitude,and increasedriskforbehavioralproblems.

● Thehealthrisksalsohavesignificanteconomiccosts.

● Leadpaintisamajorsourceofleadexposure,but thereareothersources,aswell.

● Leadwasaddedtosomepaintstoimprovecolorand speeddrying.Althoughthefederalgovernmentbannedconsumerusesoflead-containingpaintin1978,manyhomes,includingprivate,federallyassisted,federallyownedhousing,andchildcarefacilitiesbuiltbefore1978,havelead-basedpaint.

● Asleadpaintages,itflakesandcrumbles,creatinglead-contaminatingdust.Inhomes,schools,andplaygroundswithlead-basedpaint,itcanbeasourceofleadexposuretochildrenwhoeasilyingestitbyputtingtheirhandsintheirmouths.

● Sometimesleadcanbefoundinhomesandotherestablishmentswherewatertravelsthroughleadpipes.Thesoilaroundsuchplacescanalsobe contaminated.

Who gets lead poisoning?

● Children–frombreathinginleaddustorfrom swallowingleaddustontheirhandsandtoys. Childrenunder6yearsoldaremostatrisk.

● Adults–iftheyarerenovatingordoingworkonold houseswithlead-basedpaint,iftheyworkinafactorythatusesleadinitsproducts,oriftheyhavehobbiesthatuseproductswithleadinthem,suchashunting,andmakingstainedglassorpottery.

● Recentimmigrantsandrefugeesaremorelikelyto live inhomesbuiltbefore1978.Theyalsomayhavesomeculturalpracticesthatputthemincontactwithlead. Inaddition,theyoftenhavelessaccesstofoodsrich inironandcalcium,whichmakesthemmorelikelytogetleadpoisoning.Get Your

Home TestedGet Your

Child TestedGet theFacts

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Customizable Press Release

ReleaseDate: [One Month Prior]

Contact: [Spokesperson’s Name]

[Contact Information]

[Your Organization]ispleasedtoannouncethekick-offofNationalLeadPoisoningPreventionWeek2017,

October22–28th.[Your Organization]willhostandparticipateinoutreachandeducationactivitiesdesignedto

raiselocalawarenessaboutthedangerofleadexposureandpoisoning,andeducateparentsonhowtoreduce

exposuretoleadintheirenvironment,preventitsserioushealtheffects,andlearnabouttheimportanceoftesting

childrenforlead.

NationalLeadPoisoningPreventionWeek2017isajointinitiativeoftheU.S.DepartmentofHousingandUrban

Development’sOfficeofLeadHazardControlandHealthyHomes,andtheCentersforDiseaseControland

Prevention(CDC).Thegoalistoencourageorganized,localcommunityevents,andtoempowerfamiliesand

otherstakeholderstotakeaction.[Quote from your organization/program spokesperson about the importance of lead poisoning prevention efforts in your community]

Activitiesandeventsplannedfortheweeklongobservanceinclude:[Your plans for outreach].

AlthoughleadingasolineandpainthasbeenbannedintheUnitedStatessincethe1970s,leadexposureand

poisoningisstillaproblem,especiallyforchildren.Leadismostlyfoundinlead-basedpaint,whichwasused

inhomesbefore1978;however,itcanalsobefoundinthewaterthattravelsthroughleadpipesorinthesoil

aroundahouse.Leadpoisoningiscausedbyaccidentlyswallowingorbreathingintheleaddustcreatedbyold

paintthathascrackedandchipped.Childrenareparticularlyatrisk,oftenbecomingleadpoisonedbyputtingtheir

handsorotherlead-contaminatedobjectsintheirmouths,eatingpaintchipsfoundinhomesfrompeelingor

flakinglead-basedpaint,orplayinginlead-contaminatedsoil.

AccordingtheCDC,thereisnoknownsafelevelofleadexposure,andevenlowlevelscandamagethebrain and

kidneys,aswellasthereproductive,cardiovascular,circulatory,andimmunesystems.Leadisespeciallydangerous

forchildren’sdevelopingbrains,causingreducecognitiveabilityandattentionspan,impairedaptitudefor

learning,andincreasedriskforbehavioralproblems.However,thegoodnewsisthattheproblemislargely

preventablewithincreasededucationandtesting.

Get Your Home Tested

Get Your Child Tested

Get theFacts

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Customizable Matte Article

LeadingasolineandpainthasbeenbannedintheUnitedStatessincethe1970s,yetleadexposureand poisoningisstillaproblemintoomanyhouseholds.Didyouknowthattoday,exposureandpoisoningfromthistoxicsubstancestillaffectsmillionsofpeople?Thebadnews?Whileleadisharmfulforeveryone,itisevenmoredangeroustochildrenandcancauselifelongandlife-threateninghealthproblems.Thegoodnews? Leadpoisoningislargelypreventable,andwithincreasededucation,wecanhelpprotectthelivesofchildrenacrossournation.

Thisyear’sNationalLeadPoisoningPreventionWeekisOctober22–28,2017,andissponsoredbythe U.S.DepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopment,OfficeofLeadHazardControlandHealthyHomes,and theCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC).Ourgoalistoraiseawarenessaboutthedangerofleadexposure,teachparentshowtopreventleadexposureintheirhomes,andhavetheirchildrentestedbasedon nationalguidelines.Togetthecommunityinvolved,localorganizationsareencouragedtoorganize,hostlocalevents,andempowerfamiliesandotherstakeholderstotakeaction.

[Local Stats]

[Quote from your organization/program spokesperson about what lead poisoning prevention efforts you’re taking part in].

Leadcanbefoundinseveralplacesbothinsideandoutsideofthehome,includinginthewaterthattravelsthroughleadpipesorinthesoilaroundahouse.However,itismostlyfoundinlead-basedpaint,whichwasusedinhomesbefore1978.Childrenaremostlikelytobepoisonedbyaccidentlyswallowingorbreathingintheleaddustcreatedbyoldpaintthathascrackedandchipped.Forfamiliesrenovatingolderhouses,it’simportanttotakespecialcaretorecognizeandminimizeleadexposureandcontamination.Again,childrenareparticularlyatrisk,oftenbecomingpoisonedbyputtingtheirhandsorotherlead-contaminatedobjectsintheirmouths,eat-ingpaintchips,orplayingoutsideinsoilthat’sbeencontaminated.

AccordingtotheCDC,thereisnoknownsafelevelofleadexposure,andevenlowlevelscandamagethebrainandkidneys,aswellasthereproductive,cardiovascular,circulatory,andimmunesystems.Imaginehowmuchmoredangerousleadisforachild’sdevelopingbrain,causingalimitedabilitytolearnandfunction,areducedattentionspan,andincreasedriskforbehavioralproblems.Thesehealthrisksarecostly—expertsestimatethecostofleadexposureintheUnitedStatesatmorethan$200billionayear.

Sinceknowledgeispower,duringNationalLeadPoisoningPreventionWeek,wewanttoreachfamilies,communitybasedorganizations,thefaithcommunity,andhealthcareproviderswithtipsonpreventingleadexposureandwheretogetchildrenandhomestestediftheysuspectaproblem.FormoreinformationaboutlocalNationalLeadPoisoningPreventionWeekactivities,testinginformation,andresources,thepubliccancall[Your organization’s complete contact information].

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Facebook – NLPPW 2017

• NationalLeadPoisoningPreventionWeekisOct22-28.Ifyouplanonholdinganawarenesseventinyourcommunity,downloadthemediatoolkitforideas,resources,andmore:#leadfreekids #NLPPW2017

• NationalLeadPoisoningPreventionWeekisOctober22-28.Exposuretoleadcanseriouslyharmachild’shealth,andchildrenundertheageof6aremostatriskforleadpoisoning.Thegoodnews?Leadpoisoningiscompletelypreventable!Learnwhyit’simportanttopreventleadexposure: www.hud.gov/lead#leadfreekids#NLPPW2017

• Exposuretoleadcanseriouslyharmchildren’shealth.Learnmoreabouttheimpactsoflead exposureforchildrenacrosstheU.S.#leadfreekids#NLPPW2017

• It’sNationalLeadPoisoningPreventionWeek!Getyourhometested.Getyourchildtested.Getyourpipeschecked.Getthefacts.Learnwhyit’simportanttopreventleadexposure:#leadfreekids #NLPPW2017

• Lookingforresourcestoteachyourchildaboutlead?Coloringbooksareagreatwaytoengagekids.“IsThereLeadintheWater?”isausefultoolfromCDC:http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/publications/lead_in_water_activity_book_508.pdf#leadfreekids#NLPPW2017

• Worriedaboutleadinyourhome?Totalktoaprofessionalaboutlead,leadhazards,andprevention techniques,visittheNationalLeadInformationCenter’swebpage:https://www.epa.gov/lead/forms/ lead-hotline-national-lead-information-center.#leadfreekids#NLPPW2017

• GetYourChildTested.AskyourDr.how!#leadfreekids#NLPPW2017

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Twitter –#NLPPW2017

• It’sNat’lLeadPoisoningPreventionWeek!Getyourchildtestedandgetthefacts! #leadfreekids#NLPPW2017

• Learnabouttheimpactsoflead:http://bit.ly/22CNsht.#leadfreekids#NLPPW2017

• Childrenunderage6aremostatriskforleadpoisoning.Getkidstestedtoday! http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/tips.htm.#leadfreekids#NLPPW2017

• Parents–askyourpediatriciantodoasimplebloodtestforleadpoisoning. Learnmore:http://bit.ly/2b0LmDK.#leadfreekids#NLPPW2017

• Havingworkdoneonyourplace?Childproofyourhomeimprovements: http://bit.ly/2aLmthy.#leadfreekids#NLPPW2017

• Renovating?HireonlyEPA-orstate-approvedLead-SafeCertifiedrenovators: http://bit.ly/29SRcGA.#leadfreekids#NLPPW2017

• Beforebuying,renting,orrenovatingyourhome,haveitcheckedforlead-basedpaint: http://bit.ly/2aLn9UC.#leadfreekids#NLPPW2017

• Worriedaboutlead?Talktoaprofessionalaboutleadhazardsandpreventiontechniques: http://bit.ly/2aOFXU8.#leadfreekids#NLPPW2017

• Worriedaboutlead?ContacttheNationalLeadInformationCenterwithquestionsat 1(800)424-LEAD.#leadfreekids#NLPPW2017

Here’s how to let social media help you spread the word!

Suggested Social Media Content

● AsklocalpartnerstopromoteNLPPWactivitiesand/orawareness.Utilizeyourpartners’newsletters,listservs,media,andmailingstoshareinformationaboutleadexposurepoisoningandprevention.

● Workwithlocalhealthyhomesadvocates.Reach out to related professional organizations and

associationstoprovideeducationtotheirclientsandstudents.Inaddition,coordinatewithlocalschoolsanddaycarefacilitiestosendinformationhometofamilies,orsetupaninformationtable ataPTAmeetingorafter-schoolevent.

● Contactyourlocaluniversitiesandcolleges.Studentscanbeagreatresource,especiallysincemanymajorsorprogramsrequirerelatedcommu-nityserviceprojectsorinternships.Thelong-termbenefitofthisassociationcouldincludebuildinglocaladvocacyforincreasedleadpoisoningas-sessmentsandinterventions.

The Business Community

● Connectwithlocalbusinesses,suchashomeimprovementandhardwarestores,topostinfor-mationorco-hostworkshopsonusingsafeworkpracticeswhenconductinghomeremodelingandrenovationprojects.AskyourChamberof Commerceforhelpindisseminatinginformationthroughtheirinternalchannelsandmeetings.

● Alsoseeifthesebusinessesmightprovideleadexposureandpoisoningpreventionmessagesintheirmailingstocustomers,orhelppublicizeeventsandactivitiesforNLPPW.

● Askretailerstoputnoticesattheircountersor postersintheirwindowsduringNLPPW.

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Local Elected Leaders● AskyourlocalelectedofficialstoissueaNLPPW Proclamation.

● Invitelocalelectedofficialstoopenorspeakat eventsandactivities.

Grantees, Stakeholders, and other Partners

● CreateaninformalNLPPWTaskForce.Invite existingandpotentialpartnerstojoinanadhoctaskforceorcommittee.

● Naturalalliesincludelocalpublichealthandsafety officialsfromHeadStart;Women,Infants& Children;otherrelatedhealthdepartmentprograms;

aswellasemergencymedicalservices,thefiredepartment,andthepoisoncontrolcenter.Youwillundoubtedlyfindsupportwithinthehealthcarecommunity,aswell.Looktoyourhospital,clinics,urgentcarecenters,andfamilymedicine/pediatricpracticesforhealtheducatorsandclinicians interestedininjuryprevention.

● However,supportalsocouldcomefromsomenot-so-obvioussources.ConsiderapproachingyourlocalAmericanRedCrosschapterandSafeKidsorganizations–bothhavestronghealthandsafetyeducationprogramsandlocalchaptersthroughoutthecountry.Groupstoalsoconsiderincludeenvironmentalgroupsinyourarea, especiallythosethatadvocateforcleanwater; localbuilders,homeinspectors,andrealestatedevelopers;andsheltersandothernonprofitslike

HabitatforHumanitywhosemissionsaretiedtoprovidingfamilieswithsafehousing.Don’tforgetaboutyourlocalUnitedWay,whowouldnotonlybeagreatpartner,butcouldalsopointyoutowardothergroupswithsimilarmissions.

● Onceyourcommitteeortaskforcecomes together,thegoalistomapoutactivities,events,and/or information-distribution sites appropriate forthecommunity.Taskforcememberscanalsobehelpfulbysharingdatatosupportstrategies,andexploringpotentialsourcesoffundingtomeetspecificneeds.

● HostanNLPPWevent,and/or plan in advance to integrate lead poisoning activities into a related existingcommunityevent.Communityhealthfairsare perfect venues for distributing information or forprovidingone-on-oneorsmallgroupeducation.However,othercommunity-basedsafety-relatedeventstocheckoutincludechildsafetyseatdaysheldatvehicleinspectionandmotorvehicle administrationsites,andback-to-schoolactivitiesatdaycareandearlylearningcenters.

● Ifplanningyourownevent,coordinatewithlocalpartnersandexpertstohavepresentationsandexhibitsonvarioustopicsrelatedtoleadexposure,testing,andprevention.

Recommended Activities to

Effectively Engage the Community

Get Your Home Tested

Get Your Child Tested

Get theFacts

Healthcare Providers

● Reachouttolocalmedicalandhealth-relatedproviderswitheducationalmaterialstheycanmakeavailabletotheirpatientsandfamilies.Betteryet,proposeallowingyourstafftoeducatepatientsinthewaitingroom,ortosetupadisplaywithinformation.

● Ifyouarehostinganevent,invitealocalprovidertobeaspeaker.Remember,physiciansarenottheonlyonesqualifiedtospeakaboutleadtestingor thehealtheffectsofleadexposure.Nurses,nursepractitioners,physicianassistants,andhealth educatorsarequalifiedtospeakonthosetopics andmayhaveaspecialinterestinthetopic,aswell.

● Askaclinic,practice,orhospitaltosetasideone dayduringNLPPWtoprovidefreetestingfor childrenunderage6toidentifyelevatedblood leadlevels.

Recommended Activities to

Effectively Engage the Community

Get Your Home Tested

Get Your Child Tested

Get theFacts

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National Lead PoisoningPrevention Week ToolkitOctober 22–28, 2017