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The Facts
75% of homes in Quincy, MA are likely to contain lead paint.
According to the CDC, a blood lead level ≥ 3.5 μg/dL indicates that the child’s exposure is higher than 97.5% of children nationally and is in need of intervention.
Lead Poisoning can have permanent effects on young children on the development of their brain and nervous system. Lead also leaves long term health effects in adults too (increased risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems and possible kidney damage)
Chronic, low-level lead exposure can have harmful effects on a child. It is important to identify children at low levels to prevent further exposure and lead poisoning. State regulations require children with elevated capillary tests ≥ 3.5 μg/dL to receive a venous follow-up test. The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) provides free home visits and inspection services to children based on elevated venous levels.
Screening is the only way to know if a child has been exposed to lead. It is required by the state, and all children must be screened between 9-12 months and at ages 2 & 3. Children in high-risk communities must also be screened at age 4. All blood lead results must be reported to the state health department, and must include complete demographic information, such as race and ethnicity.
Are you worried that lead in your house is affecting your child’s health?
Follow these easy steps to check if your house has lead in it! To see a Pdf of the housing checklist click here!
Was your home built before 1978?
Homes built before 1978 contain lead-based paint which can have a harmful effect on the health of children under the age of 6 and pregnant women
Do you see walls, furniture, or window sills in your home with chipping or peeling paint?
Lead Paint turns unsafe when it peels or chips. The harmful lead dust is created when windows, doors, edges of stairs, rails or any lead based painted surfaces that deminish over time. This can be dangerous for young children as they put their hands or toys covered with lead in their mouth which causes serious damage to their health.
Do your children play in lead-contaminated soil near your home?
Lead- contaminated soil can be found around homes that may have lead chips or dust. Young kids can accidentally swallow the soil or track the soil inside the house onto the carpet and floors where they play.
Do you store food in imported pottery that contains lead?
Imported pottery and dishware usually contain lead. To preserve your health, use imported pottery for decoration only.
Do you work with lead in your job?
Are you a painter, iron worker or work in construction? You may be exposed to lead on the job. If your job is in a lead-related industry, change your clothes and remove your shoes before walking into the house and wash the lead-contaminated clothes in a separate load of laundry. These actions will prevent the lead from being tracked indoors onto the carpet, floors and furniture.
If you checked any boxes to these questions...
Your home and health are in danger and you, and your children could have lead poisoning, please contact the Office of Healthy Homes and see if you are eligible for financial assistance through our zero-interest lead abatement and housing rehab programs!
Are you aware of your housing rights when it comes to lead inspections?
Percentage of Children (9 mo. to < 4 years old) with Blood Lead Levels ≥ 5 μg/dL
Quincy Screening Rate (9 - 47 Months)
Massachusetts Screening Rate (9 - 47 Months)
Why is screening through age 3 important?
In Massachusetts, nearly 20% of children did not have an elevated blood lead level until age 3. All children must be screened annually through age 3. In Quincy, 75% of children are screened at age 3.
2021 Highlights in Massachusetts
Lead paint is the primary source of childhood lead exposure and Massachusetts has the 4th oldest housing stock in the country, making lead exposure a significant health risk for Massachusetts children.
444 children between 9 months to less then 4 years were identified as having lead poisoning in 2021, a venous BLL ≥ 10 µg/dL, and 1,836 children were estimated to have a BLL ≥ 5 µg/dL.
Lead Screening rates have not fully recovered to the 2019 pre-pandemic level of 72%; however, screening rates increased to 68% in 2021, up from 62% in 2020.
In 2020, 16 high-risk communities were identified, representing more than half of lead poisoning cases.
High Risk Communities: New Bedford, Holyoke, Springfield, Fall River, Lynn, Lowell, Brockton, Lawrence, Worcester, Everett, Malden, Chicopee, Westfield, Pittsfield, Boston and Haverhill.
Lead exposure is more than an urban issue, impacting all areas of the state, including rural areas where the prevalence of elevated BLLs is often higher per capita.
Children living in low-income communities are nearly 3.4 times more likely to have elevated BLLs than those in high-income communities.
Multi-race children are 3 times more likely to have lead poisoning than white children.