Infants and toddlers are the focus of CLPPP for three reasons:

• Normal hand-to-mouth activity is most common at this age, as is crawling and other behavior that result in infants and toddlers coming into contact with leaded household dust.
• The bodies of these children absorb more lead than older children or adults.
• The brains and other body organs of infants and toddlers are developing rapidly, so the impacts are greater.

Children who live in housing built before 1950 and not well-maintained are at greatest risk because that the lead-based paint used in these buildings is now chipping, flaking, cracking, etc.  Intact paint does not present a risk to children unless it is on building components such as windows and doors that are subject to friction and impact through normal use.  Other than older housing that has not been well-maintained, the major risk to children comes during renovations or remodeling in pre-1950 homes when work is not done in a lead-safe manner.

The only way to know for sure if your child has lead poisoning, or a high level of lead in his or her blood, is a simple blood test.

Talk to your child's doctor about having a simple blood test done to find out if your child has been exposed to lead or contact CLPPP for information about where to have your child tested.

• Educating health care providers and others about which children are at increased risk and should be tested for blood lead.
• Educating rental property owners and homeowners about how to create and maintain lead-safe housing and about the increased risk of lead poisoning during renovations.
• Ensuring that lead abatement professionals are properly trained and accredited.
• Conduct surveillance of blood lead testing to better understand the problem here in NH.

Contact the NH Department of Environmental Services (DES), Air Resources Division or Waste Management Division at 603-271-3503 or visit the Department of Environmental Services information online.

Contact the NH Department of Environmental Services (DES) at 603-271-3503 or see their Environmental Fact Sheet -- Mangement of Lead Based Paint Waste.

To test for lead in:

• Water- Request water sample containers from the Department of Environmental Services laboratory or call 603-271-3445.
• Paint, dust, or soil - See National Center for Healthy Housing for a list of certified laboratories nationwide.
• Homes or apartments - Contact CLPPP or review the list of Lead Inspectors.

Yes, exposure to lead on the job or through hobbies can affect your health. You can also bring lead particles and dust home on your clothing or equipment that can harm young children.