Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

Lead poisoning during childhood is a major but preventable environmental health problem in Pasadena. 
Lead can harm a child's brain, making it hard for a child to learn, pay attention and behave.  Lead will
enter a child's body through ingestion and it will remain in the blood without treatment. 

A very small amount of lead can lead to poisoning-- just enough lead to equal one granule of sugar each
day over a period of time with raise a child's blood lead level enough to require treatment.  A child with
lead poisoning may not seem sick, but some children may have stomach problems, trouble sleeping, less
energy than normal or may have problems concentrating.

The Pasadena Public Health Department's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program prevents lead
exposure in four important ways:  by screening for lead, managing treatment, educating parents and
organizations and investigating possible lead exposure in the Pasadena community.

Click here for an update on blood lead levels in children and steps parents can take to prevent lead exposure before it occurs.

Are you a contractor?

  
Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips
by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to adults and children. To protect against this risk, on
April 22, 2008, EPA issued a rule requiring the use of lead-safe practices and other actions aimed at
preventing lead poisoning. Under the rule, beginning April 22, 2010, contractors performing
renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and
schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead
contamination.

For Providers

Providers can download the blood lead level reporting guidelines, as directed by the California Department of Public Health.

• Management Guidelines on Childhood Lead Poisoning