Lead - Environmental Health - Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health

Environmental Health

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention

The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health is the coordinating county for Lead-Free Kids, a lead poisoning prevention program for Cerro Gordo, Hancock, and Worth counties in North Central Iowa.

Read the Lead Free Kids brochure: English or Spanish
New Iowa Law in 2008 Requires Children be Tested for Lead Poisoning. Learn more
Lead Law Flyer Post it at your school, daycare or preschool!
Learn about the Coalition to End Lead Poisoning. We are looking for more volunteers!

Before we knew how harmful it could be,
lead was used in many products, including paint.

Lead does not break down naturally and can remain a problem until it is removed. You may have lead in the dust, paint, or soil in and around your home, or in your
drinking water or food.

1 of every 7 children in Iowa is at risk for developing learning disabilities, nerve problems or kidney damage because of lead poisoning. Lead poisoning can cause permanent damage or even death. Often, there are no symptoms of lead poisoning until permanent damage is done.

Lead poisoning is 100% preventable!

That is why it's so important that EVERY CHILD BE TESTED. All children regardless of race, economic background, or location of home should be tested for lead poisoning starting at 12 months. The testing is then recommended at different intervals for different children with regards to risk of lead exposure. See a public health professional to determine when and how often your children should be tested.

How do I get my child tested? The only way to detect lead poisoning is with a blood test (finger prick). Through the Lead-Free Kids program, the following health departments provide FREE test for children under age 6 who live in Cerro Gordo, Hancock or Worth counties.

Call to schedule an appointment for your child:

Cerro Gordo County :
(641) 421-9324 or Toll Free: 1-888-264-2581

Hancock County :
(800) 775-6180

Worth County:
(800) 765-1388

How is my child getting poisoned by lead? In our area, the most common cause of lead poisoning is lead-based paint. Even though the manufacture and sale of lead-based paint for residential use ended in 1978, many homes and buildings still have lead paint. Lead-based paint is a hazard to your child if it is chipping, peeling and flaking. Even lead paint that is in good condition, but on a friction surface (such as a window) or impact surface (such as a door frame), is a hazard to your child.

What can I do if my child has an elevated level of lead? A public health official will work with your family to obtain re-checks of your child's blood lead level, obtain services such as developmental testing, nutritional counseling and if needed obtain the services of a lead inspector. The public health official becomes the family's link to all the services that your child will need.

Do I need a home inspection? If your child is identified as being lead poisoned, a lead inspection must be conducted in dwellings where your child spends 10 hours or more per week. A machine called an XRF is used to check the house/building surface by surface for lead paint. This piece of equipment, much like an x-ray machine, can penetrate through several layers of paint and let the family know if lead paint is present. This inspection along with a visual inspection of the house surfaces will provide good education to the family on how to repair their home to make it safe for children.

Can I request a home inspection without a child who has lead poisoning? Yes if you qualify, it is a free test for your home when funding is available. Contact our Environmental Health department to learn more. The qualifying factors are:

A child under the age of 6 must reside there
The home must be located in Cerro Gordo, Hancock, or Worth County
The home must have been built prior to 1978

Did you know?

Lead is a heavy metal that is used in many materials and products such as: paint, stained glass windows, sinkers, gun reloading, etc.
Lead is a naturally occuring metal and does not break down in the environment. Once lead has been deposited in the environment, it stays there to impact generation after generation.
Children are more sensitive to lead than adults.
Pregnant women should make sure they keep their lead levels down.
Safety guidelines should be followed if remodeling or renovating lead based painted surfaces.
Lead has a sweet taste, which is why children like to eat it.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Read our Lead Poisoning fact sheet

For more information on lead, visit these web sites:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Lead Information

The Environmental Protection Agency

Iowa Parents Against Lead Poisoning

American Lead Poisoning Help Association

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