Marion County Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

Marion County Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention

The Marion County Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program is a part of the Department of Housing and Neighborhood Health. The Program's primary goal is to identify lead hazards within the community, either through blood lead screening or environmental risk assessment. All services that are offered through the Marion County Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program are free of charge. For information about scheduling a lead test, please call (317) 221-2155 or visit our walk-in clinic on Thursday afternoons from 12 to 5:00 at 3838 N. Rural Street, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Grant Activities

The Marion County Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (MCCLPPP) is continually looking for additional funds to expand the program. In 1997, we were awarded a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to increase staff and outreach activities in eight targeted census tracts identified as being at risk for high lead exposure. The lead poisoning surveyor, environmental health liaison and the environmental health specialist are working as a team to identify lead hazards, screen for possible lead poisoning and educate families on safe techniques to create a lead-free environment.

In 1998, MCCLPPP was awarded a grant from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) for educational and outreach activities in census tract 3510.00. We are identifying children with lead poisoning in the area by conducting door-to-door screening as well as providing each household with educational material about the hazards of lead poisoning. MCCLPPP, in conjunction with The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, will be sponsoring a Tox-A-Way day in the spring of 1999. This event was designed with the hope that anyone storing old paint that might contain lead would be able to properly dispose of the paint free of charge.

Educational Activities

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published Screening Young Children for Lead Poisoning: Guidance for State and Local Public Health Officials
in November of 1997. To address the suggested change in screening techniques, MCCLPPP is sending a copy of the CDC guidance to each practicing physician in Marion County. We are also addressing the importance of reporting any elevated blood lead levels to the health department. This educational endeavor is to be completed by January 1999.