Lead Illness Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary cause of lead poisoning in children is lead dust contamination from old deteriorated paint or dry sanding/scraping of intact paint during repainting or remodeling. Pre-1978 homes may contain lead-based paint. ​For more information, visit Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention and ​Sacramento County Public Health Lead Poisoning Prevention

A blood test is the only reliable means of assessing a child's exposure to lead. Often, a child with an elevated blood lead level will exhibit no apparent symptoms. But, even low level exposure can result in lowered mental capabilities if the exposure is sustained. For more information, visit Childhood Lead Poisoning​ Prevention​​.

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