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INTRO TO PROGRAM
The Lead Investigation program of the Colchester Health Department follows the regulations of the Connecticut General Statutes and the Connecticut Public Health Code. As such, the Department conducts an epidemiological investigation for reported cases of elevated blood lead levels (EBLLs) in children aged 0 to 15 years. A venous blood sample indicating a lead level equal to or greater than 15 micrograms per deciliter is considered an EBLL. By statute, reports of blood lead equal to or greater than 10 micrograms per deciliter are submitted to the local health director by physicians and laboratories. Educational materials are provided to the child’s parents or guardians if the lead level is reported to be between 10 and 15 micrograms per deciliter.
All children under the age of 6 years old are at risk because they are growing so rapidly and because they tend to put their hands or other objects, which may be contaminated with lead dust, into their mouths. Lead-based paint and lead contaminated dust are the main sources of exposure for lead in U.S. children. Lead-based paints were banned for use in housing in 1978. All houses built before 1978 are likely to contain some lead-based paint. However, it is the deterioration of this paint that causes a problem. Nationwide, approximately 24 million housing units have deteriorated leaded paint and elevated levels of lead-contaminated house dust.
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