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<< Health Services Main • Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Information • More Information

The Carroll County L.E.A.D. Program- "Lead Education, Awareness and Detection- through Screening", provides information on childhood lead poisoning prevention to parents, physicians, daycares, homeowners, landlords, tenants, and the general public. The program's goal is to reduce the incidence of lead poisoning in Carroll County through education, prevention and screening of children.

Lead poisoning is still the number one environmental health danger to young children. Rates have declined in the last 10 years, but Carroll County still identifies about 10 children each year with high lead levels. Lead exposure can only be determined by a blood test, so it is important that children at-risk be tested. Children entering Kindergarten must have a lead testing certificate filled out by a health care provider.

At-risk children include children under age six, who live in residences built before 1978, when lead was still used in house paints. Homes built before 1950 have an even greater chance of having lead-based paint. Over 30,000 residences in Carroll County were built before 1978, and could have dangerous levels of lead dust particles. Renovation to older homes, which disturbs old paint, is a frequent cause of lead exposure Children from infants to age six can suffer permanent damage from small amounts of lead. Lead exposure can cause learning disabilities, reduced IQ, hearing problems, delayed growth, and behavior problems. A pregnant women exposed to lead can pass it to the fetus, and has an increased chance of miscarriage or stillbirth. Adults can be affected by long-term exposure to lead, or to a short high exposure.

Lead exposure can also come from soil, water, jobs, hobbies, and some imported toys, jewelry and ceramics.  Parents whose jobs or hobbies involve lead, such as car repair, radiator work, construction, demolition, boat or bridge work, firing ranges, furniture refinishing, stained glass and ceramics, should be sure to keep children out of the area and wash hands and clothing after working with lead.  Parents should not give young children jewelry, which they may put in their mouths.  Parents shoudl also try to buy safety-approved toys. 

Basic prevention can help to keep children lead-safe, such as frequent hand washing and good nutrition. Wash floors and window ledges weekly with a general cleaner to reduce lead dust particles. Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. Keep children away from areas of renovation, and check first for lead paint before doing repairs. Lead paint removal is very hazardous and should be done by a trained professional

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Carroll County Lead Program- 410-876-4984

Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE)- 1-800-776-2706 - rental property regulations, tenant's rights, certified inspectors and contractors, lead registry
Website: http://www.mde.state.md.us/Lead

Maryland Department of Mental Health and Hygiene (DHMH) - Childhood lead testing regulations - Maternal & Child Health, 410-767-6748
Website: http://www.fha.state.md.us/och/html/lead.html

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