Lead Poisoning for Local Health Officers
Eric Frohmberg
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
What does lead poisoning mean?
• It’s real – good studies over the last 30 years
• No safe level in blood
• Lead hurts brain development
• Harder for kids to learn
• Changes how they learn
• Changes behavior
• It costs money – lots of money
05/04/23 3
How does lead poisoning happen?
• Dust from lead paint.
• Greatest exposure is when children are most sensitive
• Children’s natural behavior
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
• Education and outreach to prevent poisonings
• Enforce the Lead Poisoning Control Act
• Work with pediatricians on blood lead testing
• Monitor lead poisonings and data in the State
Roles for LHOs
• May get questions – what are resources and where to refer individuals
• May see hazards – again, how refer and availability of programs
In this presentation:
• Tina Bernier of the Maine CDC on the link between housing and lead poisonings
• Tina Bernier of the Maine CDC and Beth Chase of the Department of Environmental Protection on Lead Laws and Rules.
• Karyn Butts of the Maine CDC on resources and programs available for the public and yourselves.