Supervisors Proclaim Lead Poisoning Prevention Week in Los Angeles County

Los Angeles, CA (September 24, 2024)– Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion authored by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis and co-authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn to proclaim October 20-26, 2024, as Lead Poisoning Prevention Week in Los Angeles County.

“As we proclaim Lead Poisoning Prevention Week in Los Angeles County, I want to reaffirm my commitment to safeguarding the health of our communities, especially our children, who are most vulnerable to the harmful effects of lead exposure,” said Supervisor Solis. “The legacy of contamination from facilities like Exide has left a devastating stain on our neighborhoods, and we must continue to fight for justice and accountability. This week serves as a crucial reminder of the work that lies ahead, as we strive to raise awareness, promote education, and advocate for the necessary changes to protect public health.”

Lead is a naturally occurring element that has been widely used for industrial purposes such as in batteries, gasoline, and historically in paint. Lead is invisible, tasteless, and odorless, making it a silent but highly toxic threat to both humans and animals. There are no safe levels of lead exposure. Prolonged exposure to high levels of lead is frequently prevalent in low-income neighborhoods, and by extension communities of color, from both industrial and residential sources. These communities often suffer from environmental inequities, with higher concentrations of freeways, battery smelters, oil fields, and aging homes with lead-based paint.

“I want to emphasize that tackling lead poisoning is not just the responsibility of individual families. We know the threat that lead poses to our children, and we know how difficult it can be to detect and eradicate. This is a public health issue that requires cooperation at every level. As Los Angeles County works to protect our children from lead poisoning, we are going to raise awareness of the steps everyone can take to help protect their families from lead exposure,” said Supervisor Hahn.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), lead can linger in the body for years- months in the soft tissues and decades in bones. Additionally, living in an urban area, such as Los Angeles County, exposure to some level of lead is almost inevitable. The only way to know if one has been lead-poisoned is by getting a blood lead test. Children should be screened at 1 and 2 years of age, and any time they are potentially exposed to a lead source. Adults should request a blood lead test from their medical provider if exposed to a lead hazard source.

With the approval of today’s motion, the Los Angeles County Department will launch a formal health education campaign during Lead Poisoning Prevention Week that encourages parents, community members, and school districts to engage in health education activities regarding the impact of lead on health and post-exposure care.