To: Healthcare providers serving children and pregnant women in Chemung, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, and Yates counties
 
We now have a lull in COVID infections, and hopefully we can keep the virus at bay in NY State!  Meanwhile here are some important lead poisoning prevention reminders:

• All children need to be tested for lead at or around ages 1 & 2 and whenever they may be exposed to a potential lead hazard.
• Many children missed their lead tests due to COVID restrictions.  To determine which children in your practice need testing you can easily run and use NYSIIS reports. Contact us if you need assistance.
• Kids with elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) must get confirmatory or follow-up levels according to NYS DOH guidelines.
•  
• Health department environmental staff who were reassigned to COVID will hopefully soon be able to do home inspections again for all children with elevated venous blood lead levels.
• Families who are doing renovation, repair or painting in a pre-1978 home need to understand lead-safe work practices.  Details are on the EPA website.
• Telemedicine was used more during COVID and may continue in the future. This creates an opportunity for health care providers to educate families about home hazards they may notice during video calls, including peeling paint.  If families need additional resources to address these hazards, contact us.