Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention
The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program provides services to prevent and reduce the harmful effects of lead poisoning among the County of San Luis Obispo children under the age of six, as well as other high-risk children. This includes increasing awareness regarding the hazards of lead exposure, reducing lead exposure, and increasing the number of children assessed and appropriately blood tested for lead poisoning.
Recognition from Board of Supervisors for Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2023:
What is the process?
Appointment
Contact the office at (805) 781-5527 to discuss services provided by the County’s CLPP Program and make an appointment if needed
Services include:
- Information and resources for lead poisoning prevention
- Public health nurse case management and education services in English/Spanish
- Environmental Health Specialist services for community outreach and home inspection to children with elevated blood lead levels
- Community referrals and resources for lead screening
- Community outreach at public events and health fairs
Who is eligible?
Testing is available for children, ages 0 to 21.
Where is lead found?
Lead can be found in all parts of our environment – the air, the soil, the water, and even inside our homes. Children are exposed to lead from different sources (such as paint, gasoline, solder, toys, ceramics and other consumer products) and through different pathways (such as air, food, water, dust, and soil). Although there are several exposure sources, lead-based paint is the most widespread and dangerous high-dose source of lead exposure for young children.
Additional sources of lead include candy, jewelry, tableware, hobbies, plumbing, occupations, and home/folk remedies.
Who is at risk?
Lead is particularly dangerous to children because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults do, and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead. Babies also often put their hands and other objects into their mouths that can have lead on them from dust, soil or other sources. Exposure is also a concern for pregnant women because it can result in exposure to their developing baby.
Is there a charge for this service?
Education and outreach on lead poisoning prevention is provided free of charge. For blood lead testing, you may be eligible for no or low cost services if you have Medi-Cal, Medicare or certain insurances. For all others, please see the lab fee page.
When and where is this service offered?
This service is available Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by appointment at the locations listed on this page.
Location, directions and hours of operation
Click on location name to show hours of operation, directions and phone information
Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm
2925 McMillan Ave Suite 108
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
FAQS
To submit a tip or complaint of potential lead hazard, please visit the local Enviromental Health webpage at Contact Us - County of San Luis Obispo (ca.gov) and fill out and answer questions on the quick contact form.
A simple blood test is the only way to know if your child has lead poisoning. Because lead poisoning often occurs with no obvious symptoms, it frequently goes unrecognized. Children with elevated blood lead levels can have serious health effects.
Talk to your pediatrician or primary care provider about getting your child tested. Children should be tested at 1 and 2 years of age, and anytime up to 6 years of age if they have never been tested before.
Blood lead testing can be done as part of the Well Child Physical or can be requested by your Primary Care Doctor; please schedule an appointment with your clinic. Free testing is available to all children who are eligible for Medi-Cal Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) Gateway.
To test for lead in your home, go to your local hardware store and ask if they carry lead testing kits. Homes built before 1978 are at higher risk of having lead in their interior or exterior paint or soil.
Here are some resources on lead poisoning prevention:
Resources for Families
- Lead Education Resources for Families (California Department of Public Health)
- Lead Poisoning Prevention Infographics (CDC)
- Protect Your Family from Lead Poisoning (EPA)
Product Recalls
- Consumer Product Recalls (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)
- Magellan LeadCare 2021 Blood Lead Test Kit Recall and 2017 FDA Safety Communications (California Department of Public Health)
Tenants, Homeowners and Landlords
- Federal Real Estate Disclosure rule (California Department of Public Health)
- Hiring a Lead Professional
- Fair Housing: HASLO
To Order Materials
To order educational handouts, posters, and brochures, please complete the Materials Order Form with your request and email it to [email protected]. (New materials have been recently added to the form.)
Visit the California Department of Public Health Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch for additional information on lead exposure and lead poisoning.
Questions?
Call us at 805-781-5527.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission maintains a robust list of products recalled because of unsafe levels of lead (as well as for other reasons). To find this list, www.cpsc.gov/Recalls and select "lead" as the type of hazard. You can also find information about lead-related recalls from the California Department of Public Health or by following us on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) Case Management Office:
Regina Samson, CLPPP Coordinator
2925 McMillan Ave. Suite 108
San Luis Obispo, Ca 93401
(p) 805-781-5527
(f) 805-781-4492
