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Copyright 2006 The Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning
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Lead-based paint was banned in 1978, but houses built before then probably contain leaded paint. Children, particularly under the age of six, are most at risk from even small amounts of lead, and the damage can be permanent. But there are things you can do to protect your children. Read on to learn more about the symptoms and causes of lead poisoning, how to help prevent it, and testing children at 12 mos. and again at 24 mos. for exposure to lead in accordance with New York State law.
What can child-care providers do to help?
  • The NY State Office of Children and Family Services has prepared a new FREE online course for daycare providers. Keeping Children Safe: Prevention of Lead Poisoning and Other Dangers to Children takes 1.5 hours to complete and can be done in 10-15 minute sections.  This self-directed online course fulfills the following OCFS training requirements:
    • Principles of childhood development, focusing on the developmental stages of the age groups for which the program provides care
    • Safety and security procedures, including communication between parents and staff
    • Child day care program development
    • Statutes and regulations pertaining to child day care
    • Sign up here: www.ecetp.pdp.albany.edu/elearn_catalog.shtm
  • Keep an up-to-date list of the 12-month and 24-month lead levels of the children in your care. Remind parents or guardians when it is time to get a second blood lead level test done.
  • If you do not have the test results for a child, or if lead testing was never done on a child, you can assist the parent or guardian with this process. Download the Documentation of Lead Testing Form, give it to the parent or guardian, and request that they contact the child’s health-care provider to obtain the information, and then return the results to you within two weeks.
  • Call (585) 224-3125 to request your FREE copy of Healthy Home: Environmental Health Hazards — a combination of CPLP’s Lead Awareness for Parents and the Rochester Healthy Home Partnership’s Healthy Home. 
  • Beginning in April 2010, federal law will require that contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. Make sure anyone working at your child care facility is EPA certified in Lead Safe Work Practices.


Keep any areas where young children are cared for free of lead dust.
  • Make sure the children wash their hands frequently.
  • Make children and adults take off their shoes when entering the day care. Lead dust can be tracked in on the bottoms of your shoes.
  • Wet mop any surfaces that young children come into contact with at least once a week.


Diet is an important part of keeping children safe from lead poisoning.
  • Help keep children healthy by making sure they eat foods high in calcium (milk, yogurt, cheese, etc.), iron (green leafy vegetables, eggs, red meats, and beans), and low-fat foods, since a healthy diet helps the body absorb less lead.