EPA Releases Outreach Materials for National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

WASHINGTON (September 24, 2021) - In preparation for National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW), observed October 24-30, 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have released the 2021 NLPPW Outreach Materials. Each year, NLPPW is a call for individuals, organizations, industry, and state, tribal, and local governments to work together to raise awareness of childhood lead exposure through increased outreach and education. The 2021 NLPPW Outreach Materials were developed to help stakeholders organize and promote lead exposure prevention activities and events at the local level.

Because around 2.1 million low-income households have children under six years old living in homes with lead exposure hazards, preventing childhood lead exposure is a part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to environmental justice. Lead exposure and poisoning are preventable, making localized outreach and education an important step in reducing childhood lead exposure.

The outreach materials are designed to be flexible so all communities can customize them to meet their unique needs.  The materials are centered around three key messages:

• Get the Facts: Find out about lead exposure and the hazards of lead.
• Get Your Home Tested: Find out how to minimize risks of lead exposure by hiring a certified professional to test older homes for lead.
• Get Your Child Tested: A simple blood test can detect lead. Consult your health care provider for advice on testing your children.

The NLPPW 2021 Outreach Materials include a variety of resources, including a Partner Information Kit with talking points, facts about lead and lead exposure, event ideas, and planning guides. There are also sample social media posts and customizable graphics in various sizes. These resources can be adapted to reach a wide variety of audiences, including parents, grandparents, caregivers, contractors, hardware stores, trade associations, media outlets, and more.

To access the resources and learn more, please visit EPA’s NLPPW 2021 webpage.