Childhood Lead Poisoning

Lead is a highly toxic metal that has been commonly used in many household, industrial and automobile products — such as paint, solder, batteries, brass, car radiators, bullets, pottery, etc. Lead poisoning is a serious but preventable health problem. Too much lead in the body can cause serious and permanent health problems. Children and people who are pregnant are at special risk. 

The only way to find out if a child has been exposed to too much lead is by a blood test. A blood test measures the amount of lead in blood. Blood tests are commonly used to screen children for lead poisoning and can easily be done at a child's regular checkup. Vermont law requires that all children be tested at ages 1 and 2. 

To prevent lead poisoning:

• Keep children away from sources of lead
• Keep your home in good condition
• Clean using lead-safe practices
• Eat foods high in iron, calcium and vitamin C

If you rent a home built before 1978, your landlord must look for chipping and peeling paint and fix it using lead-safe practices. If you own a home built before 1978, make sure you use lead-safe practices when you are renovating or hire a licensed Renovation, Repair, Painting and Maintenance (RRPM) contractor.

Learn more about preventing lead poisoning in children.

Vermont Tracking provides the following data for children ages 1 and 2:

1. Percent of children tested for lead annually by state and county.
2. Estimated number and percentage of children tested who had an elevated lead level. 

Housing Data

The most common way that children get lead poisoning in Vermont is from lead-based paint and dust in older homes. Vermont Tracking provides the percentage of homes built before 1950 at the county and town levels. 

Poverty Data

Children who live in poverty are considered to be a population at higher risk for lead poisoning. Vermont Tracking provides data on the percentage of children younger than 5 years who are living in poverty at the county level.