The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has launched a new public education campaign using an alligator mascot named Chip to raise awareness about lead hazards in homes. The initiative is designed to help families identify and reduce potential sources of lead exposure, which remains a concern in many older residences across the state.
Although lead was banned from household paints and water pipes decades ago, the risk persists, particularly in homes built before 1978. Lead exposure can be especially harmful to young children, affecting their health and development even at low levels.
“Lead can have severe and lasting effects on a child’s health and development,” said Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Coordinator Ashley Koski, MPH. “It is often invisible, and symptoms of lead exposure aren’t always obvious. Therefore, many families do not realize they have been exposed until they have been tested.”
One sign of deteriorating lead-based paint is a cracked surface with a texture similar to alligator skin—a condition that makes it hazardous as it can break into chips or dust. These particles are commonly found on porches, stair railings, windowsills, and doors in older homes. In addition to old paint chips, other sources of lead include contaminated soil, aging plumbing systems, and certain imported toys or jewelry.
Intact lead-based paint does not usually pose an immediate threat unless it begins to deteriorate or is disturbed during renovations or repairs.
There is no safe level of lead in the blood; even minimal exposure can impact a child’s learning ability and physical growth. Testing for lead is important for families with young children—especially those aged one and two—and for children who are enrolled in WIC or Medicaid programs or live in older housing. Children who are recent arrivals to the United States or whose parents engage in hobbies or jobs involving lead may also be at higher risk. Additional criteria for identifying at-risk children are available on the VDH website: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/leadsafe/.
“Recognizing the risk is the first step to protecting your child,” Koski said. “We hope that by raising awareness about what to look for, more parents will feel empowered to talk with their child’s doctor about whether their child should be tested for lead.”
To reduce the risk of exposure at home, VDH recommends regular cleaning using wet methods; frequent washing of children’s hands, toys, and bottles; preventing play in bare soil; removing shoes before entering living spaces; serving meals rich in calcium, iron, and vitamin C; using cold tap water for cooking and drinking; and keeping existing paint intact.
Parents concerned about possible exposure should consult their health care provider regarding testing options.
More information about lead safety can be found at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/leadsafe/.
