The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) joins its federal agency partners in highlighting National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW), October 22-28, 2023. HUD, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are working to raise awareness, provide resources, and encourage preventive actions to decrease childhood lead exposure during the week and beyond.
“Lead poisoning is not only a housing issue, it is an issue of health equity and addressing it is a top priority for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,” said Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “While HUD has worked with communities across the country to make strides in reducing lead poisoning, thousands of children are still at risk of lead exposure. This week must be a reminder that our work is not done until no child in America suffers from lead exposure.”
This year’s NLPPW theme, “Together, we can prevent lead exposure,” emphasizes the importance of coordinating to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities from the dangers of lead exposure. HUD invites partners to participate in the week of action.
The outreach materials the agencies have created are customizable, allowing partners to select and tailor information to best meet the needs of their local communities. The materials are centered around three key messages:
- Get the Facts: Learn about lead exposure and its hazards.
- Get Your Child Tested: A blood test is the best way to find out if your child has lead poisoning. Talk to your child’s healthcare provider about getting a blood lead test if your child may have been exposed to lead.
- Get Your Home Tested: If your home was built before 1978, know and control your risk of lead exposure by hiring a certified professional to test it, and if lead hazards are found, one to control them.
The outreach materials include an information kit with talking points, facts about lead and lead exposure, event ideas, and planning suggestions. The materials also include a sample social media package with content ideas, sample posts, and graphics centered around the three key messages above. For more information on what HUD, EPA, and CDC are doing during NLPPW, please go to our NLPPW webpage: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/healthy_homes/nlppw.
For more information on federal lead safety activities and resources, go to: