Los Angeles County
Department of Public Health
Childhood Lead Poisoning
Prevention Program (CLPPP)
5555 Ferguson Drive
Suite 210-02
Commerce, CA 90022
(800) LA-4-LEAD
Fax (323) 890-8736 lead@ph.lacounty.gov
About Us
Vision
Healthy, lead-free environments for children
Mission
To prevent the adverse impact of lead poisoning on the
children of Los Angeles County by reducing the incidence
of lead poisoning and providing a comprehensive response
to support lead burdened children and their families.
Program Description
The Los Angeles County Childhood Lead Poisoning
Prevention Program (CLPPP) was established in 1991, as a
result of the California legislature mandating the
California Department of Health Services (CDHS) to
develop and enact a standard of care for identifying and
managing children with elevated blood lead levels.
CLPPP, funded by the CDHS, is structurally placed under
two Programs within Department of Public Health. The
team of public health nurses, health educators, and
epidemiology staff is under Maternal, Child, and
Adolescent Health Programs; and the team of registered
environmental health specialists is under Environmental
Health. The two teams work closely together to ensure
nursing and environmental case management and follow-up
for lead-burdened children; to promote screening; and to
carry out primary prevention, targeted outreach and
education, and surveillance activities.
A toll free hotline, 1-800-LA-4-LEAD, to answer
questions or to give referrals regarding lead related
issues is available to the public during regular working
hours.
Case Management Unit
Public Health Nurses (PHN) assist the primary care
provider with the identification, follow-up and
management of lead poisoned children considered to be
cases.
Once a child has been identified as a case, the PHN
visits the child's home to provide: a general physical
assessment of the child; family education on the effects
and prevention of lead poisoning; and assistance with
linking the family to any further health or social
services.
Environmental Health Unit
The Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS)
is responsible for identifying any possible
environmental lead hazards at the home of a lead
poisoned child.
The REHS visits a lead poisoned child's environment and takes samples of the paint, dust, soil and water to determine if they contain lead levels above the regulatory standard. The REHS also interviews the family to see if other sources (such as home remedies, imported candies, lead glazed pottery, painted toys, lead hobbies or take-home lead from a family member's work) may have caused or contributed to the child's poisoning.
The REHS informs the child's family of the lead hazards found and provides steps the family can take to reduce their child's exposure to these lead hazards.
If the paint, dust, soil, or water of the house contains lead levels above the standard, then a report is issued to the property owner requiring him/her to eliminate or contain the hazards. The REHS monitors the property and works with the owner until compliance is achieved. When necessary, the REHS will refer the case to the City/District Attorney to ensure timely compliance.
The Environmental Health Lead Hazard Reduction Compliance and Enforcement Program (LHRCEP) offers Lead Safe Work Practices Training to contractors, local government agencies, and property owners/property management companies at no cost. Contact us at (323) 659-6553 for more information.
Epidemiology Unit
The Epidemiology Unit maintains a lead poisoning
database, which includes demographic, geographic,
laboratory and clinical information on all reported
screenings, and identified cases throughout the County.
Staff plan, direct and evaluate original
epidemiological studies, analyze lead poisoning data and
respond to data requests from interested parties.
Health Education Unit
The Health Education Unit maintains a wealth of information on lead poisoning
prevention, which is available to the community in several languages.
Staff can provide information booths at events and
in-person or virtual workshops upon request.