Healthy homes for healthier kids: Children's Health Month highlights home safety, asthma, lead poisoning prevention

Erie County Department of Health, WNY Children’s Environmental Health Center offer lead poisoning prevention measures

Submitted by the Erie County Department of Health

During Children’s Health Month in October, the Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) is sharing information about environmental health and lead prevention in coordination with the WNY Children’s Environmental Health Center.

"Our environment affects our health outcomes. It’s essential that children have safe spaces to live, play, learn and grow," Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein said. "Homes and other spaces that are free from lead hazards, and air that is free from tobacco smoke and other pollutants, are the foundation for a healthier life."

“The environment has a huge impact on a child’s health. People spend about 90% of their time indoors, so it’s especially important to look at exposures in the home,” said Sarah Ventre, MD, director of WNY Children’s Environmental Health Center. “We’re excited to collaborate with the Erie County Department of Health to provide resources that families need to create safer and healthier places to live. We encourage families to reach out to the ‘Healthy Neighborhoods’ program for free inspections and home safety materials.”

Erie County’s “Healthy Neighborhood” program is available to eligible households in specific ZIP codes in the City of Buffalo (14201, 14202, 14206, 14207, 14208, 14209, 14210, 14211, 14212, 14213, 14215) and the City of Lackawanna (14218). Home visits include inspections and information about:

√ Asthma

√ Carbon monoxide poisoning

√ Fire and burn safety

√ Home safety / Unintentional injuries

√ Indoor air quality

√ Lead poisoning prevention

√ Quitting smoking

√ Taking care of your house and property

Asthma is a common chronic condition that affects many children and can severely limit their activities. Environmental triggers such as indoor allergens, air pollution, and exposure to tobacco smoke can worsen asthma symptoms. Children living in housing that has mold, pests and pollution have a higher risk of developing childhood asthma.

Oct. 20-26 is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. Lead is a poison and neurotoxin, even in small amounts, causing serious health problems and developmental delays. Children should be tested for lead at ages 1 and 2, or as recommended by a physician. If a child has a high lead level, other children in the household should also be tested.

If your house was built before 1978, assume your house has lead and take the necessary steps to keep your family safe. ECDOH has a searchable database at www.erie.gov/leadsearch that shows the year that every property in Erie County was built.

During Lead Prevention Week, ECDOH will provide messaging surrounding lead prevention topics. Follow ECDOH social media on Facebook and Instagram to learn more information about:

√ “Introduction to Lead: Understanding the basics”

√ “Myths vs. Facts: Debunking common misconceptions about lead”

√ “Child Screening: When to get your children screened”

√ Erie County programs: Learn about available resources for lead poisoning prevention

ECDOH will be in the community with lead safe education. Visit erie.gov/lead to learn more.

√ Tuesday, Oct. 21 – Lead safe outreach at the Rental Assistance Corp. expo

√ Wednesday, Oct. 23 – Lead safe work practices class at ECDOH (503 Kensington Ave., Buffalo; registration required)

√ Thursday, Oct. 24 – Mini lead safe training at Housing Opportunities Made Equal

√ Friday, Oct. 25 – Outreach table at Broadway Pediatrics

For more:

√ Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH), lead safe programs: www.erie.gov/lead

√ WNY Children’s Environmental Health Center: https://nyscheck.org/buffalo-regional/

√ ECDOH “Healthy Neighborhoods”: https://www3.erie.gov/envhealth/healthy-neighborhoods-program-hnp

√ ECDOH, office of health equity, “Let’s Talk about Lead”:
https://www3.erie.gov/health/sites/www3.erie.gov.health/files/2023-09/heleadnewsletterenglish.pdf (available in Spanish, Arabic, Bengali, Burmese and Swahili)

√ Live Well Erie: www.erie.gov/livewellerie

√ New York State Department of Health asthma resources: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/asthma/links.htm