Lead can hurt your child. Lead can harm a child's brain and make it hard for children to learn, pay attention and behave.
Most children with lead poisoning do not look or act sick. Ask your child's doctor about testing for lead. A blood lead test is the only way to know if there is lead in your child’s body. All at-risk children under six years old should have a blood test.
Prevent lead poisoning! Even small amounts of lead can cause serious health effects for children.
Find more information at: California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
For information on staying safe from lead while renovating, repairing, and repainting your home, visit the US Environmental Protection Agency’s website.
Lead Hides All Around Us
- Lead-contaminated soil - settling out of the air due to industrial emissions and former use of leaded gasoline
- Paint and dust in and around homes or buildings built before 1978
- Imported foods such as Chapulines (grasshoppers)
- Brightly colored spices like turmeric, red chili powder, coriander powder and cinnamon
- Pots and dishes that are old, handmade, or made outside the U.S.
- Certain Cosmetics
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Imported candies, including candy from Mexico made with tamarind fruit
Protect Your Family
What is Lead Poisoning?
- Lead is a natural mineral that has been used in many products.
- Lead is harmful to the human body.
- There is NO know safe level of lead in the body
- Small amounts of lead can build up in the body and cause lifelong learning and behavior problems. Backup of lead in the body is referred to as lead poisoning
- Lead Poisoning is the most common environmental illness in California children,
- LEAD POISONING IS PREVENTABLE!
What are some simple steps to protect my child from lead poisoning?
- Wash your child's hands and face frequently, especially before eating
- Wash toys, countertops and windowsills and wet mop floors weekly
- Clean up paint chips and peeling paint safety
- Don't use imported foods that come in cans with wide seams.
- Don't give your child imported candy or snacks containing chili or tamarind, brightly colored spices.
- Don't let your child play in areas where bare soil is exposed, periodically wipe down outdoor play structures, patios and toys
- Wash produce grown in an outdoor garden thoroughly with water before eating
Well Fed = Less Lead
Eating healthy foods can help keep our child safe from lead.
Your child should:
- Eat regular meals and healthy snacks (four to six times a day).
- Eat calcium-rich foods (cheese, milk, spinach, salmon, yogurt, tofu, and leafy greens).
- eat iron-rich foods (lean red meat, chicken or turkey, raisins, beans, oatmeal and split peas)
- Eat vitamin C to help the body absorb iron (fruit juice oranges, grapefruit, tomatoes, broccoli, kiwi, and strawberries).
- Reduce fatty foods such as fried foods, fast foods, and junk foods. Some fat in the diet is important for brain development, but milk and better are healthier sources of fat.
What can the Shasta County Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program do for my family?
The Shasta County state-funded Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program's activities and resources include:
- Monitoring state tiered blood lead level reports
- Family education
- Public Health Nurse case management as needed
- Education and outreach to the community, health care providers, agencies and community-based organizations
- Information and referrals for parents, home remodelers, and childcare providers.
More Information About Preventing Lead Poisoning:
California Department of Public Health Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch
Recall Information - Me and My Family
Shasta County Tips and Complaints Form
Supporting information
Updated January 6, 2026
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