Developing Partnerships in Lead Hazard Reduction

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

​Lead poisoning is the most preventable environmental health threats to children in the United States. In children, there is no safe blood lead level. Even low levels of lead in the blood can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, behavioral issues, and neurological damage. Children are more likely to be harmed by lead, and while the effects of lead poisoning may not be reversible, early intervention can stop further exposure and reduce damage to children’s health. The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) of the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health (SBCDPH) aims to eliminate childhood lead poisoning by identifying and assisting families of lead-poisoned children and preventing further environmental lead exposures. CLPPP has partnered with the City of Redlands to establish the infrastructure to actively identify potential sources of lead exposure within the city through a regular and customized report related to housing and construction activity. Analysis of the data allows CLPPP to proactively targeted home environmental screenings. This partnership also involves a training element with city employees to understand the impact of lead on children. This established partnership creates a bridge between county and city governments, substantially facilitates the state’s mandated process of proactive lead reduction, and provides a framework that can be expanded to other identified high-risk cities.