childhood lead poisoning prevention branch

Information and Resources for Keeping Your Family Lead-Safe:

Family with two young children Lead is a toxic metal that has been used in many products over time. Even in small amounts, lead can have harmful effects on the body, which may lead to lifelong learning, behavioral, reproductive, cardiovascular, and other health problems. While many leaded products have been phased out, lead may still be found in and around older homes and buildings, in certain jobs and hobbies, and some consumer products, remedies, and foods. Lead poisoning is one of the most common environmental illnesses in California, but is completely preventable.

Lead Education Resources

Frequently Asked Questions About Lead and Lead Poisoning
Lead Education Materials
Child Care Provider Training Resources for Lead Poisoning Prevention
Getting Your Child Tested for Lead (PDF)
Sources of Lead:

Learn about lead in aviation gas and how to keep your family safe
Lead Poisoning from Ayurvedic Remedies: A Warning to Consumers (PDF)
Information about lead in tableware
Baby Food Safety
Lead Service Line Replacement: Information to keep families lead-safe
Other sources of lead

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “All Children Can Be Exposed to Lead” web page and fact sheet
Community Resources for Staying Lead-Safe

Local Resources and Publicly Supported Programs

Services provided by local Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Programs
Contact Information for local Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Programs
BenefitsCal: a one-stop-shop for CalFresh (food assistance), CalWORKS (cash assistance), and Medi-Cal (health coverage) benefits for eligible California families and individuals.
Don't have health insurance? Learn about options through Medi-Cal and Covered California. Already a Medi-Cal member? Learn about the new requirement to renew eligibility every year on Medi-Cal's “Keep Me Covered” web page.

Product Recalls and Consumer Warnings

NEW! View a list of consumer products found to contain lead (Excel spreadsheet). This list is updated quarterly and is considered up-to-date as of the dates listed within the spreadsheet.

The following list is a collection of state and federal agencies that monitor and regulate food drug, and consumer item safety. These resources are being shared to provide consumers with information to help them make safer choices.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalls, market withdrawals, and safety alerts for food, spices, medicine, and cosmetics
US Department of Agriculture (USDA) recalls and public health alerts for food products
CDPH Food and Drug Branch (FDB):

California Safe Cosmetics Program product database of personal care products reported by cosmetics companies
Consumer Product Safety Commission recalls of consumer items
Department of Toxic Substances Control Lead in Jewelry
California Proposition 65, officially known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. The proposition protects the state’s drinking water sources from being contaminated with chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm, and requires businesses to inform Californians about exposure to such chemicals. Please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page for important information about Proposition 65. View the 60 Day Notices to obtain information about publicly available “Warning” notices required from violators.

Home and Environmental Lead Testing and Lead-Safe Work Practices

CLPPB has a program to certify construction professionals in identifying lead hazards in and around your home. The program ensures that construction activities involving lead are performed in a manner to eliminate existing lead hazards and avoid creating new lead hazards for children and other occupants, as well as the construction professionals. Learn more about the Lead-Related Construction Program.