National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

October 22–28, 2023

At a glance

Each year, National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) is a call to bring together individuals, organizations, industry, and state, tribal, and local governments to increase lead poisoning prevention awareness in an effort to reduce childhood exposure to lead. Review activities and resources from 2023 National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week.

Get the Facts. National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. October 22-28, 2023. A woman and a boy washing their hands.

October 22–28, 2023

NLPPW highlights the many ways parents can reduce children’s exposure to lead in their environment and prevent its serious health effects. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and our partners work to heighten awareness of lead poisoning, provide resources, and encourage preventive actions during NLPPW and beyond.

Attend webinars

CDC webinar

Children and lead exposure: current issues

Join CDC Thursday, October 26 from 2-3 p.m. for a live presentation in which subject matter experts will discuss CDC's childhood lead poisoning prevention efforts, recent stories regarding lead exposure and treatment, and recent recalls.

Partner webinars

Understanding lead (Spanish)

Join EPA Tuesday, Oct. 24 from 2–3:30 p.m. ET for a live webinar in Spanish about lead, its impacts, and actions that can be taken to reduce potential lead exposures and lead poisoning. Register here.

Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule awareness

Join EPA Wednesday, Oct. 25 from 12–1 p.m. ET for a live presentation for contractors and local building code and enforcement officials about EPA's RRP rule, which concerns RRP projects in homes, childcare facilities and preschools built before 1978. Register here.

Understanding lead

Join EPA Wednesday, Oct. 25 from 2–3:30 p.m. ET for a live webinar about lead, its impacts, and actions that can be taken to reduce potential lead exposures and lead poisoning. Register here.

Watch our videos

The importance of childhood blood lead testing: brief overview of why it is important to protect young children from lead exposure and the importance of blood lead testing.

Childhood lead poisoning prevention: training overview of what lead is, where it is found and why it is important to protect young children from its exposure and is designed for high school and general audiences.

Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2023 information kit

The theme of this year's National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) is "Together, we can prevent lead exposure!" and sub-themes are:

  1. Get the facts
  2. Get your home tested
  3. Get your child tested

The NLPPW information kit (en Español) aims to help individuals, organizations, and state and local governments to work together to reduce childhood exposure to lead. The Information Kit provides state and local governments and organizations with key materials and resources that are available for distribution to a wide array of audiences. The digital kit Includes:

  • Basic lead poisoning information
  • Talking points
  • Steps to create localized outreach
  • Examples of awareness activities
  • Digital materials
  • Social media
  • Other resources

For more information including downloadable/customizable materials such as posters, flyers, images, etc., please visit these partner websites:

In 2023 CDC, EPA, and HUD posted social media messages corresponding to the following questions, which were designed to spark conversation on ways we can reduce and prevent lead exposure. Below each question are a few suggestions on information and topics to share and discuss if you decide to develop your own content. There is also "ready to post" content for each question in the table at the end.

Outreach for 2023 NLPPW through social media

EPA, CDC and HUD posted social media messages corresponding to daily questions for conversation during NLPPW and, starting in September, posted social media messages corresponding to the theme, "Together, we can prevent lead exposure!" Sub-themes include the following

  1. Get the facts
  2. Get Your home tested
  3. Get your child tested

Join @CDCgov, @CDCEnvironment, @EPA, and @HUDgov in sharing the #NLPPW2023 Key Messages on your social media to help spark the conversation about lead. For 2023 NLPPW, you could retweet or share messages sent from the EPA, CDC and HUD social media accounts, and/or use the Sample Social Media Package (en Español) to write your own posts using the content ideas or adapt the sample posts for your social media account(s).

Find more social media graphics on CDC's page.

Find more shareable materials on EPA's page: https://www.epa.gov/lead/national-lead-poisoning-prevention-week#social

Together, we can reduce lead exposure!

This year, National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is October 22–28, 2023! We're joining @CDCgov, @EPA, and @HUDgov because together, we can prevent lead exposure. Learn more about Healthy Homes. https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/healthy_homes/NLPPW#NLPPW2023 #LeadFreeKids

Together, we can prevent lead exposure! Learn how to prevent lead poisoning by joining us and @CDCgov, @EPA, and @HUDgov for National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2023. More info about preventing lead exposure. www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/docs/how-to-prevent-lead-poisoning-in-children.html#NLPPW2023 #LeadFreeKids

Together, we can prevent lead exposure! Join @CDCgov, @EPA, and @HUDgov October 22–28, 2023 for National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. Register for one of @EPA's upcoming webinars on preventing childhood lead exposure. https://www.epa.gov/lead/national-lead-poisoning-prevention-week#NLPPW2023 #LeadFreeKids

Together we can prevent lead exposure! That's why we're organizing [insert activity name] on [Day], [Date] from [Time] to prevent lead exposure in our community. Register today by visiting [insert link]#NLPPW2023 #LeadFreeKids

Get the facts

Get the facts about lead. Check out @EPA's Protect Your Family pamphlet to protect against lead exposure in your home. Available in 12 languages. #NLPPW2023 #LeadFreeKids

Parents and caregivers: If you work with or near lead-based products, you can carry lead dust home on your clothes and shoes! Learn more from @CDCgov on how to keep your family safe from lead exposure. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/lead/#NLPPW2023 #LeadFreeKids

Have a question about lead or lead poisoning? The National Lead Information Center provides information about lead, lead hazards, and preventing lead exposure. Call them toll-free at 1-800-424-LEAD [5323] or visit: www.epa.gov/lead/forms/lead-hotline-national-lead-information-center#NLPPW2023 #LeadFreeKids

You cannot see, taste, or smell lead in drinking water. But you can learn more from @EPA about sources of lead in drinking water & ways to prevent exposure. www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-08/documents/epa_lead_in_drinking_water_final_8.21.17.pdf #NLPPW2023 #LeadFreeKids

Wipe and remove shoes before entering your home to avoid bringing in lead-contaminated soil from outside. This helps prevent potential lead exposure. Learn more ways from @EPA to protect your family from lead exposure. www.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-family-sources-lead#soil#NLPPW2023 #LeadFreeKids

Before drinking, flush your home's pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or doing a load of dishes. Learn more about reducing lead in water. www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water#reducehome#NLPPW2023 #LeadFreeKids

Get your child tested

A little lead can cause BIG problems. Act early! Blood lead testing is required for children with Medicaid at 12 & 24 months old and recommended for children at these ages who are higher risk. Talk to your doctor and learn more: Communication Resources | Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention | CDC#NLPPW2023 #LeadFreeKids

Children with lead poisoning usually do not look or act sick. That's why a blood lead test is the best way to know if your child has been exposed to lead. Ask your healthcare provider about getting your child tested. www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/prevention/blood-lead-levels.htm#NLPPW2023 #LeadFreeKids

Children's growing bodies are more vulnerable to the effects of lead. Contact your healthcare provider & ask for your child to be tested for lead. https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/prevention/testing-children-for-lead-poisoning.htm#NLPPW2023 #LeadFreeKids

Lead is a highly toxic metal. It can cause a range of health problems, especially in young children! Learn more about the link between lead exposure and behavioral problems in children. https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/healthy_homes/healthyhomes/#NLPPW2023 #LeadFreeKids

Lead poisoning is preventable! Get your child tested. A simple blood test can detect lead. Learn about more ways to protect children from lead exposure.www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/docs/lead-levels-in-children-fact-sheet-508.pdf#NLPPW2023 #LeadFreeKids

No safe blood lead level has been identified for children. Even low levels of lead in the blood can have lifelong health impacts. @CDCgov has more information on how to protect your children. www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/docs/know-the-facts.html#NLPPW2023 #LeadFreeKids

Get your home tested

There's only one way to know if there's lead in your home—by getting it tested! Talk to your health department about testing for lead in paint, dust, and soil. www.epa.gov/lead/questions-and-answers-homeowners-and-renters-about-understanding-lead-inspections-risk #NLPPW2023 #LeadFreeKids

When lead-based paint gets old, it can start to peel, chip, or crack and become a hazard. Learn more tips from @EPA to reduce sources of lead exposure in older homes and buildings. www.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-family-sources-lead#older#NLPPW2023 #LeadFreeKids

Was your home built before 1978? Many homes built before then have lead-based paint. Check suspected surfaces regularly for deteriorating paint. Find out about other common sources of exposure in homes. www.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-family-sources-lead#older#NLPPW2023 #LeadFreeKids

Not sure whether your home has lead-based paint? Get your home tested for lead hazards by a lead professional! You can find one near you by visiting https://www.epa.gov/lead/questions-and-answers-homeowners-and-renters-about-understanding-lead-inspections-risk #NLPPW2023 #LeadFreeKids

When lead-based paint deteriorates, either inside or outside the home, lead can end up in household dust and soil. Learn from @HUDhealthyhomes about preventing lead exposure in homes. www.hud.gov/sites/documents/DOC_11875.PDF#NLPPW2023 #LeadFreeKids

Concerned about lead in your drinking water? Check out #ProtectYourTap, an online guide by @EPA to identify lead pipes and reduce exposure to lead in drinking water. https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water#reducehome#NLPPW2023 #LeadFreeKids

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Content Source:
National Center for Environmental Health