DOH MARKS NATIONAL LEAD POISONING PREVENTION WEEK WITH STATEWIDE CAMPAIGN, WEBINAR

HONOLULU - In observance of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, the Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) has launched a statewide awareness campaign to protect our youngest residents from environmental lead hazards.

The initiative features public service announcements starring local comedian and content creator Zavier Cummings, known as HowsDisGuy, alongside a free educational webinar featuring internationally recognized lead researcher Dr. Bruce Lanphear.

This year's observance encourages Hawaiʻi families to "Get the Facts. Test Your Keiki. Check Your Home."

"Keiki are most vulnerable during their first few years as they begin crawling, touching everything and putting objects in their mouths," said Derek Priddy, coordinator of DOH's Hawaiʻi Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (HI-CLPPP). "This stage passes quickly; taking simple steps now to get the facts, test your keiki and check your home can help your child succeed in school and beyond."

Statewide Lead Poisoning Prevention Campaign

DOH continues to broadcast its prevention messaging across television, digital and social media platforms. Developed with HI-CLPPP, the public awareness campaign features Cummings using humorous characters in three Hawaiʻi-focused videos to help families easily identify hidden hazards in fishing gear, everyday habits and older homes.

In tandem with the campaign, HI-CLPPP has updated its official website, lead.hawaii.gov, allowing families to easily access prevention resources, educational materials, community support services and direct DOH program assistance.

Lead hazards are frequently invisible. Although the federal government banned lead from residential paint in 1978, many older Hawaiʻi homes may still contain lead-based paint. Decades of leaded gasoline usage have also left residual contamination in some local soils. Children are most commonly exposed to lead through deteriorating paint, contaminated dust, soil, water, fishing tackle and work clothing.

Webinar Featuring Global Lead Expert

Because the best time to prevent lead poisoning is before exposure, pregnancy and a child's first months of life represent a critical window for identifying household hazards before the child becomes mobile.

HI-CLPPP and Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network will host a free public webinar, "The Lingering Legacy of Lead Poisoning," on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. HST. Featuring Dr. Lanphear, the session will draw on his more than 30 years of foundational research establishing that there is no safe level of lead exposure in human development, which has directly informed federal standards for lead levels in air, water, and household dust.

The session is designed for midwives, healthcare professionals, early childhood educators, parents, caregivers and anyone interested in learning about lead exposure and protecting children. Participants can register online.

Protecting Hawaiʻi Children and Families

Lead exposure can affect children's learning, behavior, growth and development. Research shows that even low levels of exposure can cause lifelong health impacts, making prevention the single most effective defense.

During National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, DOH encourages families to take three specific actions:

• Get the Facts about lead exposure and how to prevent it at lead.hawaii.gov.
• Test Your Keiki at ages 1 and 2 with a blood test from their doctor or healthcare provider (covered by insurance and free with Med-QUEST).
• Check Your Home for lead hazards, including chipping paint, bare dirt, work or hobby supplies and have your drinking water tested to check for lead leaching from older plumbing fixtures.

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