Lead is a poison that is particularly dangerous for young children because of their small size and rapid growth and development. It can cause behavioral and learning difficulties, anemia, seizures, and other medical problems. A lead test is the only way to know if your child has lead poisoning.

Children should be tested at 12 months and 24 months of age.  This requirement is a part of the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) schedules. Children from 3 to 6 years of age should have their blood tested if they have not been tested before and:

• Are Medi-Cal eligible.
• Live in or regularly visit a house built before 1978 with ongoing or recent renovations or remodeling.
• Have a sibling or playmate who has or has had lead poisoning.

Sources of Lead

Lead poisoning occurs when the body absorbs lead in large amounts by breathing in or swallowing substances that contain lead. It is seen after exposure to lead for months or years. Lead can be found throughout a child’s environment.

• Homes built before 1978 (when lead-based paints were banned) probably contain lead-based paint. When the paint peels and cracks, it makes lead dust. Children can be poisoned when they swallow or breathe in lead dust.
• Certain water pipes may contain lead.
• Lead can be found in some products such as toys and jewelry.
• Lead is sometimes in candies imported from other countries or traditional home remedies.
• Occupations involved working with lead-based products, such as auto repair, battery manufacturing, mining, painting, and welding may cause parents to bring lead into the home.
• Children who live near airports may be exposed to lead in air and soil from aviation gas.
• Soil
• Pottery
• Cosmetics
• Art supplies
• Lead bullets

Find the Lead Sources (ca.gov)

Encuentre las Fuentes de Plomo (ca.gov)

Frequently Asked Questions (ca.gov)

Prevention

Parents and caregivers can also prevent childhood lead poisoning by:

• Wiping clean or taking off shoes before entering the home
• Washing children’s hands and toys often
• If lead-based paint is on any surface inside or outside of the home, wet mop and wash surfaces often
• When painting or remodeling, always follow “lead-safe” work practices:
  • Use plastic sheeting on the ground and furniture while working.
  • Wet surfaces before sanding and scraping.
  • Wet mop the area with an all-purpose cleaner at the end of the day
• If hiring workers, ensure they are properly certified (California Department of Public Health for abatement, United States Environmental Protection Agency for renovation)

Protect Your Child - English/Spanish (ca.gov) 

Nutrition

Children with empty stomachs absorb more lead than children with full stomachs. Eating healthy foods can help keep children safe from lead. Serve children healthy meals and snacks at least every 3 – 4 hours including:

• Protein, such as lean meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, beans, peas, and unsalted nuts and seeds
• Vegetables, in a variety of colors like dark green, red, orange, yellow and purple
• Fruits, like fresh, frozen or canned fruits without added sugar.
• Whole grains, like whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, quinoa, and brown rice.
• Dairy products, such as milk, soymilk, nut milks, or yogurt without added sugar.

Limit foods with:

• Added sugar, like candy, soda, sugary breakfast cereal, sweet treats and granola bars.
• Added fat, like fried foods, fast foods, chips, pork rinds and other processed foods.

Make Healthier Choices (ca.gov) – English

Make Healthier Choices (ca.gov) – Spanish

For more information please visit: California Department of Public Health - Me and My Family

The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch (CLPPB) has programs to ensure that workers in occupations involving lead are properly trained to perform their jobs safely and protect their families, clients, and themselves from lead exposure.

• California Department of Public Health - Lead Professionals
• California Department of Public Health - Public Health Workers
• Housing and Building Resource List
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA – Lead Information)

Steps to Lead Safe Renovation, Repair and Painting

• Steps to Lead Safe Renovation, Repair and Painting (March 2021) (pdf) (EPA-740-K-11-001)
• Pasos para la renovación, reparación y pintura seguras con el plomo (marzo de 2021) (pdf) (EPA-740-K-11-001)

DANGER: Houses and apartments buildings built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Sanding, scraping, or otherwise disturbing lead paint can release large amounts of toxic lead dust. This dust, which may not be visible, can settle on floors and other surfaces where it gets on children’s hands and into their mouths.

Standard of Care on Screening for Childhood Lead Poisoning

State regulations impose specific responsibilities on doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants doing periodic health care assessments on children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years. This is a brief summary of health care providers' responsibilities. These regulations apply to all physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, not just Medi-Cal or Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) providers.

Health care providers who perform periodic health assessments for children are required to inform parents and guardians about:

• The risks and effects of childhood lead exposure.
• The requirement that children in Medi-Cal should be blood lead tested.
• The requirement that children not in Medi-Cal who are at high risk of lead exposure should also be blood lead tested.

For more in information click on the links below:

California Department of Public Health - Provider Information

CHDP Medical Providers - Bakersfield

CHDP Medical Providers - Outlying Areas

CDPH Brochures

CDC Case Management Appendixes

The California Department of Public Health’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch has developed lead education materials in multiple languages for parents and families, health care provider offices, childcare providers, businesses and organizations, and others interested in preventing lead exposure in children. These materials can be downloaded and printed. To order free printed lead education materials, please contact your local Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program @661-321-3000

• California Department of Public Health Lead Education Materials
• California Department of Public Health - Me and My Family
• Easy Ways to Protect Your Family from Lead Poisoning English & Spanish
• Home Remodeling Information  English | Spanish
• CLPPB Folk Remedies  English | Spanish | Punjabi

Kern County

• Child Health and Disability Prevention Program

State of California

• California Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch
• Occupational Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
• California Food and Drug Branch
• California Lead-Related Construction Information
• Lead Sampling in Drinking Water for Individual Homeowners

Nationwide

• National Lead Information Center (NLIC)
• Consumer Product Safety Commission
• United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), English/Spanish
• S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
• S. Centers for Disease Control/Prevention (CDC)

For the Latest Lead Recalls please refer to “U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission” by visiting: www.CPSC.GOV or calling: 1-800-638-2772.
​

Dixon Ticonderoga Recalls Creativity Street Foam Pattern Rollers Due to Violation of Federal Lead Content Ban Recall Date: May 2, 2024
CAO VOI TRI CAY THAU DAU If you or someone you know uses "CAO BOI TRI CAY THAU DAU," we strongly advise discontinuing its use immediately and consulting a healthcare provider for lead testing.
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H&M Recalls Men’s Clasp Beaded Bracelets Due to Lead Poisoning Hazard; High Levels of Lead Content Recall Date: September 21, 2023 Recall Number: 23-293
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Primark Recalls Children’s Bamboo Plates Due to Risk of Lead and Chemical Exposure Hazards Recall Date: March 2, 2023 Recall Number 23-139
Shop Me Ca Recalls “Diep Bao Cream” Because of Possible Health Risk Recall Date: February 1, 2023
Hatley USA Recalls Children’s Headbands Due to Violation of Federal Lead Content Ban Recall Date: February 16, 2023 Recall Number: 23-122
Bentex Recalls Children’s Clothing Sets Due to Violation of the Federal Lead Paint and Lead Content Ban; Lead Poisoning Hazard Recall Date: November 23, 2022 Recall Number: 23-052
Juvo Plus Recalls Children’s Butterfly Net Sets and Army Action Figure Playsets Due to Violations of Federal Phthalates and Lead Content Bans Recall Date: October 20, 2022 Recall Number: 23-703
U.P. Fashion Recalls Children’s Rings Due to Violation of Federal Lead Content Ban Recall Date: October 13, 2022 Recall Number: 23-008
Big Game Hunters Children’s Outdoor Kitchens Recalled Due to Violation of Federal Lead Content Ban; Imported by DOM Sports; Sold Exclusively at Amazon.com Recall Date: August 25, 2022 Recall Number: 22-207
Nationwide Voluntary Recall of Natierra Organic Freeze- Dried Blueberry (lot # 2021363-1 & 2022026-1) Due to levels of Lead Recall Date: July 14, 2022
Recalls and Alerts for Dried Plums (Saladitos)Due to Lead Contamination Recall Date: February 9, 2022 Recall Number: 22-030
Stack Em’ Up Books Children’s Stackable Toys Recall Date: February 9, 2022 Recall Number: 22-073
Native Creation Recalls Sweaters Recall Date: January 5, 2022 Recall Number: 22-044
Fulvic Care Powder and Tablets from Black Oxygen Organics Recall Date: December 3, 2021
10-in-1 Incredible Inventions Science Kit Recall Date: February 17, 2020 Recall Number: 21-083
Plush Aflac Doctor Duck Recall Date: August 26, 2020 Recall Number: 20-173
Hasbro Super Soaker XP 20 and XP 30 Water Blasters Recall Date: August 19, 2020 Recall Number: 20-168
Boy Scouts of America Cub Scout Activity Pins Recall Date: July 1, 2020 Recall Number: 20-144
Ximi Vogue Children's Neck Pillows April 30, 2020 Recal #: 20-113
Khmeli Suneli Spice Blends January 4, 2019 Recall #19-001
Boy Scouts of America: Neckerchief Slides September 26, 2018 Recall #18-239
Rust-Oleum: Black Satin Countertop Coating September 5, 2018 Recall #18-214
BSN Sports LLC: Rubber Critter Toys August 29, 2018 Recall #18-763
Reduce Hydro Pro water bottles Recall date:   April 19, 2018

• Blood Lead Testing - Test Tubes
• Tips for Reducing Contamination