Lead is a heavy metal prevalent in our environment today due to the legacy of its mining, manufacturing, and use in many products, including lead-based paints and leaded gasoline. Because of lead’s prevalence in the environment and its long-term health impacts, particularly to young children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends and New York State requires blood lead testing for all children at ages one and two years. Children can be tested at their pediatrician or through the Rensselaer County Health Department. The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been found. CDC, New York State, and Rensselaer County maintain websites for childhood blood lead poisoning prevention:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

CDC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Homepage
– CDC List of Sources of Lead
– CDC Health Effects of Lead
– CDC Recommended Actions Based on Blood Lead Level

New York State Department of Health

NYS DOH Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Homepage
– NYS DOH “Does Your Child Need a Lead Test?” Questionnaire
– NYS DOH “What Your Child’s Blood Lead Test Means” Document
– NYS DOH “Eat a Variety of Nutritious Foods to Help Reduce the Effects of Lead” Flyer
– NYS DOH “Guidelines for Health Care Providers for the Prevention, Identification, and Management of Lead Exposure in Children” Document

Rensselaer County Department of Public Health

RC DPH Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

Due to the prevalence of older housing in Troy, homes are likely to contain lead-based paint. To work towards preventing lead exposure before it shows up in a child’s blood, the Rensselaer County Department of Public Health and Cornell Cooperative Extension operate two programs to inspect homes for lead-based paint and provide needs-based assistance for addressing it:

Rensselaer County Childhood Lead Primary Prevention Poisoning Program (CLPPPP)
Cornell Cooperative Extension Rensselaer County Healthy Homes Healthy Neighborhoods Program

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires blood lead testing for workers in some workplaces where lead in air exceeds their standards and maintain a worker rights and protections website. CDC maintains the Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance (ABLES) Program to collect adult blood lead testing.