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Lead Poisoning Prevention ProgramThe Cuyahoga County Board of Health (CCBH) offers a variety of services with the goal of eliminating childhood lead poisoning. Although lead poisoning is often thought of as a problem of the past, more than 2700 children were lead poisoned in the state of Ohio in 2007. Almost half of those children lived in Cuyahoga county. CCBH participates
Click here to view the Greater Cleveland Elimination Plan. Click here to view the Ohio Department of Health Elimination Plan. Frequently Asked Questions about leadWhat is lead poisoning? Lead poisoning is an elevation of the lead in the body. The Centers
for Disease Control has defined an Elevated Blood Lead Level (EBL) as a level greater
than 10 ug/dl. It can cause permanent damage to the brain and nervous system,
behavior and learning problems, slowed growth, and hearing problems. Levels of
lead below 10 ug/dL have been linked to a decrease in IQ. At high levels, lead can
cause seizures, coma, and death.
Where is lead found? Most childhood lead exposure happens in housing. Housing built before
1978 may contain lead paint. The older the home the more likely it is to have lead
paint. Lead paint becomes hazardous when it chips, flakes, peels, or chalks. Lead
can also be found in soil near driveways, streets and surrounding structures such as garages
and fences containing lead-based paint. A small amount of lead is found in water.
How does the lead get inside children's bodies?Most exposure to lead happens by normal hand to mouth activity and the placing of
objects containing lead dust into the mouth. A small number of children may eat lead-based paint
chips. Some lead dust may be inhaled if children are present when lead-based paint is
disturbed.
More Information
Healthcare Provider Information- testing requirements, heavy metal reporting
form, and health department contact.
Elevated Blood Lead Level tables by neighborhood (Cleveland) and cities. Available Services :Environmental assessment of homes Lead Safe Cuyahoga- grant program to correct lead hazards in home built before 1978 Case Management for children with elevated lead levels
Web resourcesHousing Cleveland- listing service for affordable rental housing in Cuyahoga County Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Environmental Protection Agency Ohio Department of Health Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Cleveland Department of Public Health Cleveland Tenants Organization U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (recalls) For more information about the lead poisoning prevention program please contact Romona Redding @ 216-201-2001 ext 1317 or rredding@ccbh.net
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the Greater Cleveland Lead Advisory Council (GCLAC). GCLAC is a partnership of government
agencies, community organizations, a parent group, and members of the faith based community
committed to ending childhood lead poisoning in Cuyahoga County. A few of the participating
agencies and organizations include the Ohio Department of Health, the Environmental Protection
Agency, the Cleveland Department of Public Health, the Lakewood Health Department, Invest in
Children, Environmental Health Watch, Cleveland Tenants Organization, MetroHealth Hospital, and
University Hospitals. The GCLAC created an Elimination Plan to guide activities designed to
end childhood lead poisoning. In December 2004, the St. Luke's Foundation provided a grant
that helps fund the implementation of activities in the Elimination Plan. 
