MUST KNOW:

• There are many things you can do to help reduce exposure and ingestion of lead by your child.
• The most effective way is to keep indoor dust down.
• It’s important to connect (or reconnect) with the public health nurse and home garden representative for a home visit to look more closely at nutrition, diet and the home environment.

SHOULD KNOW:

• There are many factors that contribute to a child’s healthy development.
• The public health nurse looks at all aspects of the child’s development, healthy hygiene and how the family can support this.
• The community representative connects you to resources and groups that work with parents and young children on early childhood development.
• The community representative also provides useful supplies to keep dust down in the home environment such as a vacuum (or replacement bags), dust buster kits, hand soap, and links to lead-safe renovation supplies.

COULD KNOW:

• The program is constantly working to improve and lower exposure to lead in the community.
• Primary prevention is a large focus of the program.
• Investments at the smelter have improved air quality significantly over the last several years.
• Elevated blood level is an indicator to pay attention; however, it is not a diagnosis.