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CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING PREVENTION BRANCH

Resources for Staying Lead-Safe During COVID-19

Many potential sources of lead can be found in or around the home, such as lead-based paint, dust, and soil. During the COVID-19 outbreak, Californians are spending more time at home, potentially leading to greater exposure to lead. In addition to general cleaning and disinfecting during the outbreak, you can help prevent lead exposure from dust and dirt by frequently cleaning floors, windowsills, hands, and toys. It is also important to check for and safely address other potential sources of lead in and around your home (PDF).

Even small amounts of lead can affect children's behavior, growth, and learning. It is important that children at risk for lead poisoning get a blood lead test, even during COVID-19. Healthcare offices throughout the state have taken extra care to ensure patients are safe when visiting. If you think your child might have been around lead, ask your child's doctor about a blood lead test.

The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch (CLPPB) has compiled the following resources to help families, schools, and child care providers learn more about lead poisoning, blood lead testing, and how to prevent lead exposure. These resources include educational activities for children and families to enjoy together. The information is from the California Department of Public Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other federal, state, and local health agencies. 

Lead Poisoning Prevention Resources for Families

Although lead is very harmful to children, lead exposure is preventable. 

  • Use the checklist and flyer to identify and safely address any potential lead sources in your home.

  • Use the A to Z list to learn more about lead and the words that doctors, nurses, and lead inspectors use to talk about lead poisoning.

  • Review the brochures and video to learn lead-safe practices for fixing up your home and general lead safety tips.
ā€‹Check for Lead In and Around Your Home flyerā€‹Check for Lead In and Around Your Home (PDF) | Revise si hay plomo alrededor y adentro de su casa (PDF) CLPPB Checklist
ā€‹Is Lead Hiding in Your Home flyerIs Lead Hiding in Your Home?/ĀæSe esconde plomo en su casa? (PDF) CLPPB Flyer

Protect Your Child brochure Protect Your Child from Lead (PDF) | Proteja a su hijo contra el plomo (PDF) CLPPB Brochure

ā€‹CDC Words to KnowLead Poisoning Words to Know from A to Z (PDF) from CDC. 

Note: The term ā€œLevel of Concernā€ is no longer used. CDC now uses a blood lead reference value of 5 micrograms per deciliter to identify children with blood lead levels that are much higher than most children's levels.

Lead-Safe ā€‹Home Improvement Resources:
Repainting or Fixing Up Your Older Home brochure ā€‹Repainting or Fixing Up Your Older Home? (PDF) | ĀæVa a pintar o a hacer arreglos en una casa vieja? (PDF) CLPPB Brochure
ā€‹Fixing Up Your Home During COVID-19 flyerFixing Up Your Home During COVID-19?/ĀæArreglando su casa durante COVID-19? (PDF) CLPPB Flyer
Lead's Revenge video Lead's Revenge!/Ā”La Venganza del Plomo! video (17 minutes) from California Department of Public Health Occupational Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

EPA Renovate Right guideā€‹The Lead-Safe Certified Guide to Renovate Right (PDF) | GuĆ­a de prĆ”cticas acreditadas seguras para trabajar con el plomo para remodelar correctamente (PDF) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brochure

Activities for Children

The following videos and activity books teach children about sources of lead and how to stay safe.

ā€‹Videos:
the Story About Lead video

The Story About Lead | La historia del plomo video (4 minutes) from Southwest Center for Pediatric Environmental Health

the Mysterious Case of Lead video The Mysterious Case of Lead | El caso misterioso del plomoā€‹ video (6 minutes) from Southwest Center for Pediatric Environmental Health

ā€‹Wash Away the Lead videoWash Away the Lead video (3 minutes) from Orange County Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

ā€‹Lead Away videoLead Away! video (14 minutes) from Sesame Street

ā€‹Coloring and Activity Books:

ā€‹My Very Own Lead Poisoning Prevention coloring bookMy Very Own Lead Poisoning Prevention Coloring and Activity Book (PDF) | Mi Propio Libro para Colorear con Actividades para la Prevencion del Envenenamiento por Plomo (PDF) CLPPB Activity Book

ā€‹Ethan's House coloring bookEthan's House Gets Healthier (PDF) coloring book from CDC

Is There Lead in the Water coloring book Is There Lead in the Water? (PDF) coloring book from CDC

ā€‹Information About Getting a Blood Lead Test

You may be worried about going to the doctor right now, but know that doctor's offices are taking extra steps to keep you and your family safe during checkups. Call your child's doctor to schedule an appointment and get a blood lead test.

Most children with lead poisoning do not look or act sick. The only way to know if a child has been exposed to lead is through a blood lead test.

The following resources explain how and when children should be tested, and provide information to help families get health insurance.

ā€‹Getting Your Child Tested for Lead cardGetting Your Child Tested for Lead (PDF) | CĆ³mo Hacerle la Prueba de Plomo a Su Hijo (PDF) CLPPB Informational Card

Toddler at the pediatrician with parentFrequently asked questions about lead poisoning 

Preguntas frecuentes sobre el envenenamiento con plomo

Child with doctorCalifornia blood lead testing regulations

Covered California logoā€‹Health insurance options through Medi-Cal and Covered California

Seguros de salud a travĆ©s de Medi-Cal y Covered California


Curricula for Child Care Providers, Parents, and Schools

Lead exposure can happen where children live, learn, or play. Child care providers, teachers, and parents all play an important role in preventing children's exposure to lead.

  • The lead poisoning prevention curricula provide lesson plans for addressing lead poisoning prevention.
  • The classroom exercises are fun and interactive activities for young children. They can also be adapted for home schooling.

Child playing with blocks in preschool Training Resources for Child Care Lead Poisoning Prevention from CLPPB and California Childcare Health Program
ā€‹Lead Poisoning Prevention CurriculumLead Poisoning Prevention Curriculum for Preschool Children and Their Families (PDF) from New York State Department of Health

Chip and Dusty activity Chip And Dusty Classroom Exercise (PDF) for children ages 3-6 from EPA. Resource page with puppet templates.



Resources for Health Care Providers

Health care providers are facing unique challenges in scheduling routine services during the COVID-19 pandemic. These resources have been developed to assist providers, and their patients, during this time.

Letter templates for health care providers and patients (PDF). These templates outline steps that provider offices are taking to keep patients safe and encourage patients to schedule routine check-ups and developmental milestones.

COVID-19 Resources for Families

There is a lot of information about COVID-19 and how to keep your family healthy. CLPPB has provided the resources below to help families easily access important information about COVID-19. 

News and Data:

COVID-19 Resources for Children:

COVID-19 Resources for Parents:

Additional Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Resources for Californians

CLPPB has developed lead education materials in multiple languages for parents and families, health care provider offices, child care givers, businesses and organizations, and others interested in preventing lead exposure in children. Please visit the Lead Educational Materials page to download and print these materials. You may also request free printed copies of the materials from your local program.

For additional information about lead poisoning prevention and blood lead testing, contact your local California Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. If your county does not have a local program, contact the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch at PDSS@cdph.ca.gov.

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