People can come into contact with harmful substances in their homes and communities, such as toxic metals and mold. Toxic metals can be found in soil, old paint, and some beauty products. They can poison people and make them very sick. Our Healthy Homes and Communities project works with local organizations to inform and educate Californians about toxic metals and mold.
We are committed to protecting people from exposure to harmful substances - from mercury in imported skin creams, to lead in garden soil or cosmetics, to mold from leaks and other dampness in the home.
Immigrant children have been poisoned by lead from use of lead-containing imported eye makeup.
Childhood Lead Poisoning from Imported Eye Makeup in Seven Languages - Western States Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) Factsheets
Adults and children have been poisoned by lead and other harmful metals from use of harmful-metal-containing ayurvedic remedies.
Adults and children have been poisoned by mercury and other harmful metals from use of imported skin creams containing mercury.
Contact our Healthy Homes and Communities project at AskEHIB@cdph.ca.gov or call our helpline, (510) 981-4354, if you have a group of community health workers or educators wanting to learn in English or Spanish how to train others to protect themselves from mold, toxic metals, or other harmful substances in the environment. We can also bring equipment to test certain beauty products and soil for lead or mercury.