About the Program
Childhood lead poisoning is considered the most preventable environmental disease among young children. The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) within VDH's Division of Prevention and Health Promotion at VDH's Central Office is a CDC-funded program. The program provides:
- Surveillance and analysis of reported blood lead levels in children less than 16 years of age
- Education and outreach to parents, communities, and health professionals about childhood lead poisoning and prevention, and
- Oversight to providers and local health department staff on screening, testing, and case management for children exposed to lead
The CLPPP aims to ensure that children at risk for lead exposure are identified, tested, and connected to additional services. Through collaboration with local health department staff, health care providers, environmental health specialists, and public health partners, the VA CLPPP aims to make our state a Lead Safe Virginia.
Learn about lead poisoning prevention from the Lead Safe Virginia digital campaign!
You can also view it on the VDH YouTube channel.
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Protect your family
Lead is toxic to everyone, especially young children. Old paint, dust, soil, and toys are common sources of lead. Exposure to lead can lead to negative health impacts, such as developmental delays, learning disabilities, reduced hearing, loss of appetite, behavioral problems, headaches, and brain and kidney damage. Ask your doctor to find out if your child should be tested for lead.
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What is Your Risk for Lead Exposure?
Lead is toxic to everyone, especially young children. Knowing your risk for exposure can help protect your family. Was your home built before 1978? Are you a newcomer to the U.S.? Does someone in your household work with lead? If yes, you might be at risk for lead exposure. Ask your doctor to find out if your child should be tested for lead.
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Get your home checked for lead exposure hazards
Lead is toxic to everyone, especially young children. The good news is that it is preventable. Get your home checked for lead exposure hazards. A lead safe contractor can maintain peeling paint and test older homes for lead. If you could be at risk for lead exposure ask your doctor about a lead test.
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How to Prevent Lead Poisoning
Lead is toxic to everyone, especially young children. The good news is that it is preventable. To protect your family you can: wipe down floors and surfaces, remove shoes before entering the home, and wash children's hands and toys. Concerned your family might be at risk for lead exposure? Contact your doctor.
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Lead is toxic to everyone, especially young children. Exposure to lead can have negative health effects, like developmental delays, behavioral problems, and more. The good news is a simple blood test can assess your child's lead levels and help reduce further exposure. If you think your child could be at risk for lead exposure, ask your doctor about a lead test.
Important Updates
Revised Childhood Lead Case Definition
Effective 05/22/2023, Virginia will adopt a new lead case definition. Because no safe level of lead has been identified, CDC is no longer using the term "elevated blood lead level." Now, confirmed blood lead levels ≥ 3.5 μg/dL are referred to as "blood lead levels at or above the CDC blood lead reference value." This is reflected in the revised case definition below.
Confirmed BLL ≥ CDC’s blood lead reference value (BLRV): A *child with one venous blood test ≥ 3.5 μg/dL or two capillary blood tests ≥ 3.5 μg/dL drawn within 12 weeks of each other.
*A child in Virginia is <16 years of age.
Magellan Diagnostics, Inc. and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have issued notifications about the expansion of Magellan Diagnostics’ recall of LeadCare II, LeadCare Plus, and LeadCare Ultra Blood Lead Tests, which were distributed from October 27, 2020, to August 19, 2021.
This is a class 1 recall, the most serious type of recall. It impacts both health care providers and laboratories who may have access to these tests, and people who were tested using these devices.
For more detailed information, visit our Health Care Providers page.
For information on current product recalls, please visit our Information for Parents page.
Information about Lead in the Home
Click here to find information about sources of lead and preventing lead exposure, legal considerations for real estate and rental properties, and information for lead professionals.
Information for Parents
Click here to find information about how to keep your family safe from lead exposure and learn what to do if your child has been exposed to lead.
Information about Adult Lead Poisoning
Click here to learn about sources of lead exposure for adults (at work and from hobbies), and how you can prevent bringing lead home to your family.
Information for Health Care Providers
Click here to find information about screening and reporting guidelines, training and continuing education opportunities, materials for patients.
Information for Childcare Centers
Click here for information about potential sources of lead, health effects for children, tips for keeping your facility lead-free, and educational resources for staff.
Referrals and Partnerships
Click here to find information about referrals, partnerships and collaborations.
For more information:
Ashley Koski, Program Coordinator
ashley.koski@vdh.virginia.gov
804-929-6736
Janine Kerr, Health Educator
janine.kerr@vdh.virginia.gov
804-929-5099
Andrew Tran, Toxic Substances Epidemiologist
andrew.tran@vdh.virginia.gov
804-864-7745