Onondaga County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

11/18/2025

November is Prematurity Awareness Month! For pregnant women, exposure during pregnancy can cause premature birth.

During this Thanksgiving season, practice good nutrition habits by eating a healthy diet! Foods rich in nutrients that help the body absorb less lead are:
✅ Iron
✅ Calcium
✅ Vitamin C

For more information visit: https://onondaga.gov/health-lead/pregnancy/

10/30/2025

Did You Know? Imported or vintage pottery and dishes may contain lead! Lead in glazes can leach out and contaminate the food or beverage.

✅ Use lead-free dishes for cooking, serving or storing food and drinks.
✅ Pay attention to “problem types” of ceramicware/pottery that is: handmade with crude appearance, antique, damaged/worn, purchased from flea markets, and brightly decorated.

Learn more: https://www.fda.gov/food/environmental-contaminants-food/questions-and-answers-lead-glazed-traditional-pottery

10/24/2025

The most common way children are exposed to lead is from lead-based paint in older homes, but lead can also be found in toys, soil, water, and even dust.
💡 The good news: Lead poisoning is completely preventable—and small daily actions can make a big difference!
✅ Keep kids away from areas with chipping or peeling paint.
✅ Damp mop floors and wipe surfaces often to remove lead dust.
✅ Wash children’s hands and faces before meals and naps.
✅ Feed them foods rich in iron, calcium, and vitamin C—these nutrients help block lead absorption.
Onondaga County’s Health Department and partners are here to help every family build a lead-safe home. Visit https://onondaga.gov/health-lead/ for more tips and local resources.

10/23/2025

Join us for something special during National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week! 🌟

We’re hosting a StoryWalk® featuring the children’s book “Happy, Healthy, Lead-Free Me!” — a fun way for kids and families to learn about lead safety while enjoying a walk and some reading time together.

📍 Location: Onondaga County Department of Social Services, 2nd Floor
🕙 Time: 10am – 2pm
Meet our mascot Leo the Lion, talk with our friendly Health Department team, and take home a FREE copy of the book!

Every step toward awareness helps protect our children from lead. 💙

10/22/2025

Children who live in older homes with chipping or peeling paint are at the highest risk for lead poisoning. Lead isn’t always easy to see—it can be hiding in paint, dust, soil, or even old windows and doors.

If your home was built before 1978, there’s a good chance it contains lead paint. That’s why Onondaga County offers free home lead inspections for eligible families with young children or pregnant women living in older rental units.

When hazards are found, our inspectors provide education and connect families with grants and resources to make homes safer.

🏠 Call (315) 435-3271 or visit: https://onondaga.gov/health-lead/ to learn more.
Together, we can create healthier homes for our kids!

10/21/2025

Did you know there’s no safe level of lead in the blood? Even small amounts can affect a child’s brain development, behavior and learning—and most of the time, there are no signs of exposure.

🩺 A simple blood test is the only way to know. Children should be tested at age one and again at age two. Testing gives you clear answers and gives our Health Department the information we need to help keep kids safe.

If a child’s lead level is elevated, our local team acts quickly—coordinating follow-up care, investigating potential sources, and helping families make their homes lead-safe.

📞 To find out if your child needs a lead test, contact your pediatrician or visit:
https://forms.ongov.net/testing-children-for-lead-poisoning/

10/20/2025

This week is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, a time to raise awareness and highlight the actions being taken to protect our children from lead exposure. We’re kicking off the week with a proclamation read by our staff and community leaders to highlight our ongoing efforts to create healthy, lead-safe homes and ensure that lead safety is within reach for every family.

Together, we’re building a lead-free future for our children—because every child deserves a safe, healthy home and a bright start in life. 💙

10/20/2025

This week is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week!
💙
Together, we can protect our children from lead and give them bright, healthy futures. Exposure to lead, even at low levels, can affect a child’s brain development, behavior, and learning—but it’s 100% preventable when we take action early.

Onondaga County’s Health Department works year-round to identify and eliminate sources of lead exposure—whether through home inspections, blood testing, and partnering with trusted community organizations.

Follow us this week for facts, tips, and resources to help keep your family lead-safe!
👉 Learn more: https://onondaga.gov/health-lead/

10/20/2025

10/15/2025

💧 Water Fact Wednesday 💧

Use a certified water filter to remove lead! Filters must undergo rigorous laboratory testing to become certified for lead removal.
✅ Choose a filter certified for lead removal that says it meets NSF/ANSI Standard 53.
✅ Make sure the water filter you use is certified by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Water Quality Association (WQA), or another certifying agency.
✅ Filters must be replaced every 6 months to ensure effectiveness.

For more information on lead in water, visit: https://www.syr.gov/Departments/Water/Lead-Service-Replacement-Strategy

10/07/2025

LEAD RECALL ALERT – The Evermore Surprise Eggs have been recalled due to the toy airplane inside of the egg containing high lead levels, posing a possible health risk. Customers who purchased this product are advised to keep it away from their children.

If your child has been in contact with this product, consider having them tested for an elevated blood lead level. Children are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning, which can cause permanent damage to the nervous system. This can result in learning disorders, developmental delays, and other long-term health problems.

For more information about blood lead testing, contact your child’s healthcare provider. If your child does not have a healthcare provider or if you have other questions, contact us at LeadFreeKids@ongov.net or call (315) 435-3271.

To read the full product recall, please visit: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/In-Motion-Design-Recalls-Evermore-Surprise-Eggs-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-Violates-Federal-Lead-Content-Ban?utm_campaign=&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=20251003

10/07/2025

October is Children’s Health Month!

October is Children’s Health Month, which aims to raise awareness of children’s environmental health! Children’s growing bodies are more vulnerable than adults to environmental health threats, like lead poisoning. Protecting your child’s health now is key to a strong future! If you live in a home that was built before 1978, your home likely contains lead paint that can be harmful to babies and young children. Children have the right to grow up in a safe and healthy environment! If you rent an older home or apartment and are pregnant or have children under age 6 living with you, you may be eligible for a free home lead inspection!

For more information about lead home inspections, call (315) 435-3271 or visit: https://onondaga.gov/health-lead/home-inspections/