Lead poisoning is entirely preventable. However, nearly 1 million children living in the United States have blood lead levels high enough to impair their ability to think, concentrate, and learn. Evidence shows that the most common source of lead exposure for children today is lead paint in older housing and the contaminated dust and soil it generates. New Hampshire has the oldest housing of anywhere in the United States with 62% of its homes built before lead-based paint was banned in 1978.
The North Country Public Health Network is working to reduce or eliminate childhood lead poisoning through education and outreach efforts, and by working with local childcare facilities to identify and prioritize the removal of lead hazards.
- On September 17, 2021 UPDATE: Recall of LeadCare® Blood Lead Tests Due to Risk of Falsely Low Results, Update #1: Expanded Recall to Include all LeadCare® II Testing Supply Kits
- On July 8, 2021, there was a Recall of LeadCare® Blood Lead Tests Due to Risk of Falsely Low Results. Find out more by accessing the link.
3M™ LeadCheck™ Swabs is an instant lead test that can help determine that lead-based paint is not present on wood, metal, drywall or plaster surfaces before you remodel a pre-1978 home. If the swab turns red, lead is present: RED MEANS LEAD™.
Click the link, or scan the following QR code with your smartphone camera, to view video instructions for the 3M LeadCheck Swab:
For more information about the Lead Free Kids NH initiative within the North Country Public Health Network, contact: phn@NCHCNH.org
