Lead Poisoning Prevention: What is Lead, How is it Dangerous, and What is CDPH Doing to Protect Chicagoans

The Lead Poisoning Prevention and Healthy Homes Program works to prevent, detect, and address lead and other home health and safety hazards. This is a conversation between participants within CDPH's Lead Poisoning Prevention and Healthy Homes Program: Sharita Webb (Director of Public Health Operations), Patty Okotete (Lead Nursing Supervisor), and Tony Burmistrz (Supervising Building Construction Inspector). The group discusses what lead is, how it can be dangerous to children and adults, and what Chicago is doing to keep people safe. Through nurse case management, data monitoring, strategic inspections and abatement of home hazards, as well as community and health care provider education, CDPH is leading efforts to eliminate lead exposure to children in Chicago. As a result, the number of children with elevated lead levels has declined from over 70% of children tested in the late 1990s to 1.5% today. For more information and to attend the Conference, visit Chicago.gov/lead. Learn more about lead poisoning prevention at http://www.LeadSafeChicago.org.