To: County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Department of Health Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Nolan Sullivan, 707-565-4774; Amelyn Olson, 707-565-2696
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Recommended Action:
Title
Adopt a Gold Resolution recognizing October 25-31 as National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week for 2026
End
Executive Summary:
National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is a yearly campaign held during the last full week of October to raise awareness and help prevent lead exposure in children. Each year, the local Child Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) participates in Lead Week to increase awareness of childhood lead poisoning and provides valuable outreach and education to community members and partners.
The County of Sonoma CLPPP is managed and staffed through the Department of Health Services, Public Health Division, and is funded through the State Department of Public Health. The CLPPP employs a team of local health professionals who provide services to parents, healthcare providers, and the general public regarding lead. This team is comprised of:
• Public Health Nurses, who work with families to identify possible sources of contamination and to educate families on ways to reduce the risk of lead contamination.
• Health Educators, who conduct health fairs, workshops and special trainings for health care providers and the general public.
• Registered Environmental Specialists, who conduct investigations to determine the source of lead contamination in the home.
Discussion:
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week will be observed statewide from October 25 through October 31, 2026 in order to promote childhood lead poisoning prevention awareness. One of the government’s responsibilities is to keep its constituents safe from environmental hazards. Lead exposure is one of the most widespread of these hazards. People can be exposed to lead through paint, dust, soil, drinking water, consumer products, and air emissions from leaded aviation gasoline and other sources.
Lead exposure is particularly harmful to children under the age of six. Data show that nearly all children in California are considered at risk of lead exposure and should be screened for lead poisoning by their health care provider at 12 and 24 months. Some older children may need catch-up testing up to age 6 if they were not screened earlier. It is vital that we take the necessary steps to make sure that we have a safe environment and ensure children who are at risk of lead poisoning are tested and provided appropriate care in Sonoma County where children can grow and thrive without the burden of lead poisoning.
Protecting children from lead exposure is critical to lifelong health. Even small amounts of lead in the body can adversely impact intelligence quotient (IQ), ability to pay attention and academic achievement (<https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/CLPPB/Pages/frequently_asked_questions.aspx>). The damaging effects of lead exposure often go undetected. The signs of lead exposure are difficult to identify. A blood lead test is the best way to determine if a child has been exposed to lead.
Although lead can be found in many products and locations, lead exposure is preventable. We encourage all Sonoma County residents to learn about the risks and potential sources of lead exposure, and the steps we can take to protect our children.
Prior Board Actions:
Resolutions proclaiming National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week in Sonoma County have been adopted for many years, most recently on October 7, 2025
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
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Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Resolution
Attachment 2 - Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention (English)
Attachment 3 - Getting Your Child Tested For Lead Brochure (English/Spanish)
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
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