EPA Releases Outreach Materials for National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week
Released on September 7, 2022
In preparation for National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW), observed Oct. 23–29, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development have released outreach materials that organizations and individuals can use to plan and implement local events and activities to educate communities about preventing lead exposure.
Each year, NLPPW is a call to reduce childhood lead exposure. Because approximately 3 million American households with children under 6 years old have lead exposure hazards — including more than 2 million low-income households — it is important to highlight the many ways we can reduce childhood lead exposure. It’s preventable, and localized outreach and education can make a big difference.
The outreach materials are customizable, allowing partners to select and tailor information to best meet the needs of their local communities. The materials are centered around three key messages:
- Get the Facts: Learn about lead exposure and its hazards.
- Get Your Child Tested: A simple blood test can detect lead. Consult your health care provider for advice on testing your children.
- Get Your Home Tested: If your home was built before 1978, minimize your risk of lead exposure by hiring a certified professional to test it.
The outreach materials include an information kit with talking points, facts about lead and lead exposure, event ideas, and planning suggestions. There is also a sample social media package with content ideas and sample posts centered around six “questions for conversation,” as well as graphics.
These resources can be adapted to reach varied audiences, including parents, grandparents, caregivers, contractors, hardware stores, trade associations, and media outlets. They are also designed so NLPPW can be incorporated into activities planned for Children’s Health Month, which is also observed in October.
To access these resources and learn more, please visit EPA’s NLPPW 2022 webpage: epa.gov/lead/national-lead-poisoning-prevention-week.
For resources and information in Spanish, visit: espanol.epa.gov/plomo/semana-nacional-de-prevencion-del-envenenamiento-por-plomo.
To find more information and resources about Children’s Health Month, visit epa.gov/children/childrens-health-month-resources.