Lead was banned from use in residential paint in 1978 and from gasoline in the early 1980s, yet today lead poisoning remains the number one PREVENTABLE environmental health threat to children. According to the 2000 census more than 7,000 children are at high risk in Allen County. Even a single high exposure to lead can cause poisoning with irreversible damage to the nervous system, resulting in reduced IQ, learning disabilities and behavioral problems. In the most severe case seizures, coma, and even death may result.

The Allen County Indiana Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPP) is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to reach its goal of eliminating the lead hazard threat in our community by the year 2010. Our local efforts include lead education, advocacy and outreach; the identification and elimination of environmental hazards; and identification of and case management for lead poisoned children. The program staff includes 2 licensed lead-risk assessors, a lead sampling technician, an education aide, a case manager, and a program coordinator.

We encourage everyone with children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years to review the Lead Risk Questionnaire. If you answer yes to any question please contact CLPP for help.