Lead Poisoning Prevention

Tips to Prevent Lead Poisoning

How Do You Know if There is Lead in Your Home?

Many homes built before 1978 contain lead paint. When lead paint gets old, it can peel or flake. In Oregon, about 54% of occupied housing units were built before 1980.

Talk to your state​ or local health department about testing paint and dust in your home for lead.

Learn more

• Protect your family from exposures​ to lead
• ​Lead in your home: A parent's reference guide

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Make Sure Children Have Safe Crawls

Lead exposure is dangerous during early childhood development, particularly for children who crawl! 

Make sure to take off your shoes when entering the house to prevent bringing lead-contaminated soil in from outside. 

Wet-clean floors and wet-wipe surfaces indoors often to reduce the risk of lead exposure.

Learn more

• Learn about lead
• CDC fact sheet: Childhood lead poisoning

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Speak to a Health Care Provider about Blood Lead Tests for Children

Lead poisoning is preventable!

A simple blood lead test can detect lead. Blood lead tests are recommended for children at 12- and 24-months. Consult with your health care provider. Find out more from your state or local childhood lead poisoning prevention program!

Learn more

• CDC fact sheet: Lead levels in children​

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Learn More about Your Drinking Water

You cannot see, taste, or smell lead in drinking water, but you can learn basic information about sources of lead in drinking water and suggestions for reducing exposure.

Learn more

• Sources of lead in drinking water​
  
• En español: Fuentes de plomo en el agua potable​

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Buying or Renting a Pre-1978 Home? Get information in multiple languages.

Are you planning to buy or rent a home built before 1978?  

Make sure you receive a copy of Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home. It’s available in multiple languages.

Download a copy

• Protect your Family from Lead in Your Home
• En español: Proteja a su familia contra el plomo en el hogar
• More languages

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Children and Lead Poisoning

Adults and Lead Poisoning

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

Each year National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) is a call to bring together individuals, organizations, industry, and state and local governments to raise awareness of lead poisoning prevention and reduce childhood exposure to lead.