In Case of Emergency
If a child has severe symptoms of lead poisoning, such as vomiting or seizures, get immediate help by calling 911. If a child is suspected of being exposed to lead, make an appointment with the child's health care provider or county health department to have a blood test done.
Lead
Hundreds of Kent County children are needlessly poisoned by lead every year. To help children thrive and succeed in life, we need to ensure that the homes where they live are free from lead hazards. Lead poisoning is 100% preventable. If homes are made lead safe, children will be protected.
What is Lead?
Lead is a naturally occurring metal that has been added to various products, most notably lead-based paint.
When ingested, lead travels through the blood stream to the brain, nervous system, kidneys, and other organs. Lead can then be stored in bones, leading to long-term exposure.
Since 1978, Federal and State regulations have banned the sale of lead-based paint. However, lead is still found in the majority of older homes and in the soil around them.
The Source
An estimated 90% of all childhood lead poisoning cases in Kent County are the result of deteriorating lead-based paint and lead dust found in the home. This dangerous dust can be found in any home built before 1978, the year lead-based paint was banned. More than 85% of the housing stock in the City of Grand Rapids, and many others throughout Kent County, were built before 1978.
Who is at Risk?
Infants and toddlers have the highest risk of being lead poisoned, especially when they begin to crawl and become mobile. All children living in older homes or high-risk communities should be tested at their one and two-year well child visits.
Symptoms
There are no reliable symptoms of lead poisoning. Waiting for symptoms is dangerous, as visible symptoms come too late —after long-lasting damage to the child. Instead of relying on symptoms, parents should get a blood test for their child at one and two years of age as recommended.
Health Impacts
Lead poisoning in children causes life-long brain damage. Even small amounts of lead can have negative effects on children:
- Brain damage
- Poor physical growth and development
- Social problems
- Behavioral problems
- Problems in school, learning disabilities
Solutions
Lead poisoning is 100% preventable! Making homes lead-safe prevents children from being poisoned.
Click here for lead services for families
Click here for lead services for landlords
Click here for the Get the Lead Out! home repair program.
To learn more about making homes lead-safe, contact the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan at (616) 241-3300.
Did You Know...
Childhood lead poisoning causes irreversible brain damage, but is 100% preventable!
Resources
State of Michigan Certified Lead Inspectors(38 KB)
A list of State of Michigan Certified Lead Inspectors and Risk Assessors in the (616) area code as of 9/13/2018.
MDCH Guidelines for Testing Kids(20 KB)
Guidance from the Michigan Department of Community Health about testing children for lead poisoning.
AAP Guidelines for Elevated Lead Levels(112 KB)
Guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units on how to respond to children whose blood lead test results are higher than 5.0 micrograms per deciliter.
Lead Safe Cleaning(1.3 MB)
A guide to lead-safe cleaning that helps reduce lead dust levels in the home.
Limpieza en una manera segura del plomo(1.3 MB)
Un guía para una limpieza segura con plomo que ayuda a reducir los niveles de polvo de plomo en el hogar.
Guide to Lead Safe Renting(446 KB)
What to look for when shopping for a new apartment or rental home.
MDHHS Lead Safe Home Program(279 KB)
A Michigan Department of Community Health program that offers inspections and repairs for lead. City of Grand Rapids residents should click here instead.
Lead Paint Safety(1.4 MB)
A Field Guide for Painting, Home Maintenance and Renovation Work. Great guide for DIY home renovation.
The Need for Universal Lead Testing
At Healthy Homes Coalition, we advocate for universal testing, lead paint removal & correction, and continuing knowledge of the issue. You should ask for your child to be tested for lead every year, up to age 3, and yearly up to age 5 if lead hazards are present in home. Once you have evidence of lead in the home, take action. If you live in Kent County, you can call Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan for a home environmental hazards screening, which can identify causes of lead poisoning and remove the hazards through case management.
Healthy Homes Coalition is looking for dedicated and compassionate individuals to help serve our community!