Home
Programs
Center for Healthy Communities
Division of Environmental and Occupational Disease Control
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch
Community Resources for Lead Safety

CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING PREVENTION BRANCH

Community Resources for Staying Lead-Safe

Many potential sources of lead can be found in or around the home, such as lead-based paint, dust, and soil. You can help prevent lead exposure from dust and dirt by frequently cleaning floors, windowsills, hands, and toys. It is also important to check for and safely address other potential sources of lead in and around your home (PDF).

Even small amounts of lead can affect children's behavior, growth, and learning. It is important that children at risk for lead poisoning get a blood lead test. If you think your child might have been around lead, ask your child's doctor about a blood lead test.

The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch (CLPPB) has compiled the following resources to help families, schools, and child care providers learn more about lead poisoning, blood lead testing, and how to prevent lead exposure. These resources include educational activities for children and families to enjoy together. The information is from the California Department of Public Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other federal, state, and local health agencies.

Lead Poisoning Prevention Resources for Families

Although lead is very harmful to children, lead exposure is preventable.

Use the checklist and flyer to identify and safely address any potential lead sources in your home.
Use the A to Z list to learn more about lead and the words that doctors, nurses, and lead inspectors use to talk about lead poisoning.
Review the brochures and video to learn lead-safe practices for fixing up your home and general lead safety tips.

Check for Lead In and Around Your Home flyer

Check for Lead In and Around Your Home (PDF) | Revise si hay plomo alrededor y adentro de su casa (PDF) CLPPB Checklist

Is Lead Hiding in Your Home?/¿Se esconde plomo en su casa? (PDF) CLPPB Flyer

Protect Your Child from Lead (PDF) | Proteja a su hijo contra el plomo (PDF) CLPPB Brochure

Screen Shot of CDC Words to Know Lead Poisoning Words to Know from A to Z from CDC.

Note: The term “Level of Concern” is no longer used. CDC now uses a blood lead reference value of 5 micrograms per deciliter to identify children with blood lead levels that are much higher than most children's levels.

Lead-Safe Home Improvement Resources:

Repainting or Fixing Up Your Older Home brochure

Repainting or Fixing Up Your Older Home? (PDF) | ¿Va a pintar o a hacer arreglos en una casa vieja? (PDF) CLPPB Brochure

Fixing Up Your Home During COVID-19 flyer

Fixing Up Your Home During COVID-19?/¿Arreglando su casa durante COVID-19? (PDF) CLPPB Flyer

Lead's Revenge!/¡La Venganza del Plomo! video (17 minutes) from California Department of Public Health Occupational Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

EPA Renovate Right guide The Lead-Safe Certified Guide to Renovate Right (PDF) | Guía de prácticas acreditadas seguras para trabajar con el plomo para remodelar correctamente (PDF) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brochure

Activities for Children

The following videos and activity books teach children about sources of lead and how to stay safe.

Videos:

The Story About Lead | La historia del plomo video (4 minutes) from Southwest Center for Pediatric Environmental Health

the Mysterious Case of Lead video The Mysterious Case of Lead | El caso misterioso del plomo video (6 minutes) from Southwest Center for Pediatric Environmental Health

Wash Away the Lead video Wash Away the Lead video (3 minutes) from Orange County Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

Lead Away video Lead Away! video (14 minutes) from Sesame Street

Coloring and Activity Books:

My Very Own Lead Poisoning Prevention Coloring and Activity Book (PDF) | Mi Propio Libro para Colorear con Actividades para la Prevencion del Envenenamiento por Plomo (PDF) CLPPB Activity Book

Ethan's House coloring book Ethan's House Gets Healthier coloring book from CDC

Is There Lead in the Water coloring book Is There Lead in the Water? coloring book from CDC

Information About Getting a Blood Lead Test

Most children with lead poisoning do not look or act sick. The only way to know if a child has been exposed to lead is through a blood lead test. Call your child's doctor to schedule an appointment and get a blood lead test.

The following resources explain how and when children should be tested and provide information to help families get health insurance.

Getting Your Child Tested for Lead (PDF) | Cómo Hacerle la Prueba de Plomo a Su Hijo (PDF) CLPPB Informational Card

Toddler at the pediatrician with parent Frequently asked questions about lead poisoning

Preguntas frecuentes sobre el envenenamiento con plomo

California blood lead testing regulations

Covered California logo Health insurance options through Medi-Cal and Covered California

Seguros de salud a través de Medi-Cal y Covered California

Curricula for Child Care Providers, Parents, and Schools

Lead exposure can happen where children live, learn, or play. Child care providers, teachers, and parents all play an important role in preventing children's exposure to lead.

The lead poisoning prevention curricula provide lesson plans for addressing lead poisoning prevention.
The classroom exercises are fun and interactive activities for young children. They can also be adapted for home schooling.

Child playing with blocks in preschool Training Resources for Child Care Lead Poisoning Prevention from CLPPB and California Childcare Health Program

Lead Poisoning Prevention Curriculum for Preschool Children and Their Families (PDF) from New York State Department of Health

Chip and Dusty activity Chip And Dusty Classroom Exercise (PDF) for children ages 3-6 from EPA. Resource page with puppet templates.

Additional Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Resources for Californians

CLPPB has developed lead education materials in multiple languages for parents and families, health care provider offices, child care givers, businesses and organizations, and others interested in preventing lead exposure in children. Please visit the Lead Educational Materials page to download and print these materials. You may also request free printed copies of the materials from your local program.

For additional information about lead poisoning prevention and blood lead testing, contact your local California Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. If your county does not have a local program, contact the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch at CLPPBOutreach@cdph.ca.gov.

Page Last Updated : July 16, 2024

What’s New

Administrative

Diseases and Conditions

Family Health

Health and Safety

Health Facilities

Personal Health and Prevention

Licensing, Certification and Other Credentials

Person Interested In