Lead can do great harm, especially to young children.  Childhood lead poisoning at low levels may make learning difficult, interfere with growth, harm hearing and delay development.  At high levels, lead may cause coma, convulsions and even death.  The leading cause of lead poisoning is lead dust from lead-based paint, which was used in most homes until 1978.  Young children are exposed to lead through normal everyday activities such as crawling on the floor and putting their hands, toys or other objects in their mouths.  

The Pennsylvania Department of Health's Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Program is comprised of four programs: the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP), the Lead Hazard Control Program (LHCP), the Lead Surveillance Program, and the Healthy Homes Program.  The Department of Health provides a toll-free Lead Information Line (1-800-440-LEAD) to respond to caller inquiries and provide written materials about childhood lead poisoning and other household hazards.  In addition, the Department offers training in lead-abatement and other lead-certified disciplines at no cost to governmental and non-profit employees.  

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program    

The Pennsylvania Department of Health's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Programs (CLPPP), in partnership with agencies comprised of local health departments, city governments, and other representatives of the health care provider community, coordinates efforts to prevent, detect, and treat children with elevated blood lead levels.  

Lead Hazard Control Program  

The Lead Hazard Control Program (LHCP) creates lead-safe environments in the homes of low-income families with children under age six.  This program operates in six high-risk cities and two counties in Pennsylvania.  The LHCP inspects for and treats lead hazards in privately owned housing meeting income and child eligibility requirements, and also conducts lead poisoning outreach and education.   

Lead Surveillance Program  

The Pennsylvania Department of Health's Lead Surveillance Program tracks and monitors childhood lead activity through the Pennsylvania National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (PA-NEDSS).  PA-NEDSS is a web-based application system that receives all lead reports on Pennsylvania's children.  Through PA-NEDSS, the Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Program can identify possible high risk areas, locate areas of under-testing and identify other potential service gaps. 

To find out more about Pennsylvania's continual progress in reducing childhood lead poisoning, please click on any of the reports below.  The reports contain various measures and aggregate totals reflecting childhood lead testing activity statewide.     

• 2008 Childhood Lead Surveillance Annual Report (PDF)
• 2009 Childhood Lead Surveillance Annual Report (PDF)
• 2010 Childhood Lead Surveillance Annual Report (PDF)

Healthy Homes Program

The Healthy Homes Program (HHP) seeks to create safe and healthy housing for vulnerable occupants by addressing environmental health and safety hazards in low-income homes.  The program assesses homes for such hazards as mold, pests, lead dust, bare wires, and dust mites, then works to reduce or eliminate those hazards.  The interventions will lead to fewer asthma attacks, less lead poisoning and fewer home-related injuries.  The program educates families about their role in maintaining a healthy home through the Seven Principles of a Healthy Home. 

Need more information?  

Visit Lead Poisoning and Healthy Homes FAQ or contact the PA Lead Information Line (LIL) at 1-800-440-LEAD (5323) for lead and healthy homes information and materials.