Quick Course: Preventing Lead Exposure

Lead Exposure: Just the Facts

Lead exposure is entirely preventable.
No safe blood lead level in children has been identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Even low levels of lead in blood can cause intellectual and physical disabilities, behavioral problems, seizures, coma, and even death.
Impairment caused by lead exposure cannot be corrected.

photo of magnifying glass over lead on element chart

Red Flag

A blood lead level equal to or greater than 5 micrograms per deciliter (5 mcg/dL) is a reference level to identify children with blood lead levels that are much higher than most children’s levels, according to the CDC.

Test Your Knowledge Who oversees childhood lead exposure prevention in Texas?

The Texas Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (TXCLPPP) partners with local and regional health departments; city, state, and federal agencies; and other community organizations to protect Texas children from lead poisoning. TXCLPPP, which is part of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), maintains the Texas Child Lead Registry.