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HHLHPP
1000 S.W. Jackson St., Suite 330
Topeka, Kansas
66612-1274
(866)-UNLEADEDKS
or (866)-865-3233
FAX: (785) 296-5594
Email:
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The
Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) established the
Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Prevention Program (HHLHPP) to respond
to concerns about lead and its effect on the health of Kansans, most
notably our children. Lead is common in our environment and
many individuals, especially children, show no outward signs of lead
poisoning. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
states lead poisoning is one of today's major preventable environmental
health problems. Blood lead levels (BLLs) as low as 10 micrograms
per deciliter (ug/dL) are associated with harmful effects on children's
learning and behavior. BLLs as high as 70 ug/dL can cause seizures,
coma, and death.
The mission of the Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Prevention Program
is to establish an infrastructure of trained personnel
to screen, identify and recommend proper medical and environmental
management of lead-poisoned children. The most common cause
of childhood lead poisoning today is the deterioration or disruption
of a lead paint surface of a home.
Kansas Statues Annotated (KSA)
65-1,200 authorizes the Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Prevention Program. Key
provisions of the law give the Secretary, Kansas Department of Health
and Environment (KDHE), the authority to establish and administer
the following activities:
Develop
and maintain an elevated blood level database and medical
surveillance program.
- Track incident of lead poisoning across the
state.
- Administer a certification,
licensure, accreditation and enforcement program for individuals
and firms involved in lead-based paint activities and abatement
projects.
- Administer a Pre-Renovation
Education Program to educate the public and remodeling
industry on lead hazards.
- Promote a public awareness campaign to increase
knowledge about childhood lead poisoning prevention strategies.
- Increase professional education opportunities
regarding childhood lead poisoning prevention strategies.
- Provide equipment support and training to
local health departments to conduct blood lead screening activities,
environmental assessments and follow-up.
The HHLHPP is funded by cooperative agreements from
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC), Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and fees
from the certification and licensure of individuals and firms.
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