S.C. Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
Lead poisoning is entirely preventable and, in most cases, goes unnoticed until its long term effects including brain damage, mental retardation, learning disabilities, developmental delay, and behavioral and attention problems are evident. The main sources of lead in South Carolina are related to contaminated soil and dust, and chipping lead-based paint in older houses, particularly those built prior to 1950. Certain occupations / vocations, such as those related to battery manufacture and hobbies or crafts involving the use of lead, such as stained glass and ceramics, also present higher risks of exposure. Some children have also been poisoned by imported vinyl mini-blinds.
Apart from screening children to detect cases of lead poisoning and their follow-up care, much emphasis is now laid on primary prevention activities that prevent children from getting poisoned through exposure to lead. In this context, public and parental awareness of common sources of lead, proper hand washing and good nutrition are being actively promoted.
The South Carolina Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (SC CLPPP) is administered through the Women and Children’s Services Division and has been funded since 1991 by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). SC CLPPP's main functions and services include development and implementation of a statewide plan for childhood lead screening, policy review and development, education and training of professionals and providers, public education and outreach.
Please contact your local health department or call our toll-free number (1-866-466-5323) to find out more about lead.
To learn more, you can also download the most recent CLPPP newsletter, The Lead Leader, or two of our Look Out For Lead brochures. (pdf)
Look Out For Lead: Finding Hidden Dangers in Your Home
Look Out For Lead: Big or small, protect them all. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions