Lead Poisoning Prevention
Awareness to Action: Lead Poisoning Prevention
National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is an initiative sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency to help raise awareness of lead poisoning and reduce childhood lead exposure. Although lead is a naturally occurring chemical, exposure can have serious health consequences. There is NO safe level of lead exposure. Lead is toxic, particularly for young children, and can lead to harmful, irreversible effects on a child's brain and body. Notre Dame faculty are working with the St. Joseph County community to mitigate the negative impact of lead poisoning and ensure necessary protocols are in place to address and control high levels of exposure.
Learn more about environmental lead exposure and the work of the Notre Dame Lead Innovation Team from co-founders Heidi Beidinger-Burnett and Matthew Sisk:
Take Action:
- Ensure that children under the age of 6 are tested for lead. Tests can be completed by their doctor or may be offered through your local health department.
- Use a free lead screening kit to test your home.
Notre Dame Resources:
- Notre Dame Lead Project
- NEWS: When work becomes personal: ND developing innovative home lead test
- NEWS: University of Notre Dame-developed home lead screening kits shown to be highly accurate
External Resources: