Lead Poisoning Prevention

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County 

in Collaboration with 

Rensselaer County Department of Health

Childhood Lead Poisoning Primary Prevention Program

WHAT: Childhood Lead Poisoning is a major problem resulting in the loss of billions of dollars.  In an attempt to correct it before it becomes a problem, Cornell Cooperative Extension in collaboration with the Rensselaer County Department  of Health are working together to prevent childhood poisoning.  The Childhood Lead Poisoning Primary Prevention Program will prevent childhood lead poisoning by performing lead risk assessments and providing educational materials and incentive items to residents in the City’s of Troy and Rensselaer.  

WHERE: Zip codes: 12180 & 12182 & 12144 (within the City Of Rensselaer only)

WHY: Lead Exposure can harm young children and babies even before they are born.  Children who seem otherwise healthy can have EBLL (elevated blood lead levels).  Lead poisoning can happen just by breathing or swallowing lead dust or eating soil or paint chips containing lead.  Removing lead-based paint improperly can increase the danger to your family.  Lead is more dangerous to children because babies and young children often put their hands and other objects into their mouths and these objects can contain lead dust.  Because children’s bodies are growing rapidly they can absorb more lead then adults can.  Children’s brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead such as learning disabilities, mental retardation, kidney damage, anemia, and death.

CONTACT: Deanna Miller

                        Primary Lead Prevention Program
                        Lead Risk Assessor, Environmental Health Educator
                        Rensselaer County Department of Health
                        1600 7th Ave.
                        Troy, NY 12180
                        (518)270-2640
                        deanna.miller@rensco.com