Now Available: National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week Materials

Released September 21, 2023

In preparation for National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW), observed October 22–28, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 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. Approximately 3 million American households with children under 6 years old — including more than 2 million low-income households — have lead exposure hazards. Childhood lead exposure is preventable, and NLPPW highlights the many steps we can take to reduce the risk of lead exposure through localized outreach and education. 

This year’s NLPPW theme, “Together, we can prevent lead exposure,” emphasizes the importance of working collaboratively to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities from the dangers of lead exposure. 

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 blood test is the best way to find out if your child has lead poisoning. Talk to your child’s healthcare provider about getting a blood lead test if your child may have been exposed to lead.  
• 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, sample posts, and graphics centered around the three key messages above. 

These resources can be adapted to reach many 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, visit EPA’s NLPPW 2023 webpage in English or Spanish.