October 2020
Childhood lead poisoning is a serious health threat that impacts millions of children throughout the United States, including Hawai’i. From 2018 to 2019, only about 26% of Hawai’i children ages 1 and 2 years were tested for lead. About 1% of children tested showed elevated blood lead levels above or equal to 5 μg/dL, according to data collected by the Hawai’i Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, or HI-CLPPP. (There is no safe level of lead.)
Even low levels of lead exposure can have severe long-term consequences that follow children into adulthood. Despite this, many states, including Hawai’i, do not require testing all children for lead. Many cases go unrecognized, and the actual rate of lead poisoning is unknown. With universal childhood testing and the recommendations outlined in our reports, we can protect children and the larger community from the life-altering effects of this completely preventable health threat.
Download the report
Community resources
- Hawaiʻi Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, Hawaiʻi Department of Health
- Comic book: Keep Your Keiki Safe From Lead Poisoning
- Coloring book: Keep Your Keiki Safe From Lead Poisoning
- Other educational materials
National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week
October 25-31, 2020