Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) combines the efforts of the Epidemiology, Environmental Health and Nursing divisions and our University of Nevada, Las Vegas partners to track, investigate and provide case management for children affected by lead poisoning, which includes education for everyone in the child’s home.

The Office of Epidemiology receives blood lead test results for children screened in Southern Nevada. Lead poisoning in children is defined as blood lead levels greater than 10 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL).

You should have your child tested at age 12 and 24 months. If your child is between three to six years of age and has never been tested for lead he or she must also be tested. This simple blood test is covered by most insurance companies, including Medicaid and Medicare.

If your child is found to have lead poisoning, we will contact you to arrange an environmental investigation and assign a public health nurse to manage your case.

The most recent national data indicates that approximately two in every hundred children age one to five have lead poisoning. Young children absorb lead far more easily and rapidly than adults and the results can be devastating to their developing nervous systems. Lead poisoning can affect nearly every system in the body. It can cause learning disabilities, behavioral problems and at very high levels, seizures, coma and even death.

For more information, including links to product recalls, visit the Resources webpage.