SEPTEMBER 2026
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Protecting Our Children: The Hidden Danger of Lead Poisoning and How to Prevent It in Hawai‘i
by Grace Fluckiger
Every year, millions of children in the U.S. are exposed to lead, a toxic metal that can silently impact their development. Children are greatly affected by lead poisoning and become at risk for developmental delays and behavioral problems. In 2020, almost 25% of children less than 3 years old tested positive for lead in Hawai‘i, according to the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. However, knowing how to prevent lead poisoning and protect your keiki can be the difference in safeguarding them from its harmful effects.
Where Lead Comes From Lead poisoning in keiki occurs when they ingest or inhale the toxic metal. Lead can be found in homes built before 1978, in the water supply, in soil, and in family members’ workplaces. The most common sources in Hawai‘i are in paint, dust, soil, jobs, hobbies, and objects. Toys and other objects may contain lead, which could cause lead poisoning due to lead exposure. Staying up to date on recalls helps ensure the toys your keiki are playing with are safe.
Why Keiki Are More Vulnerable
Keiki under the age of 6 are more vulnerable to lead poisoning due to natural behaviors, such as putting their hands, toys, and other objects into their mouths. Studies have shown that detecting specific lead poisoning symptoms is often harder with younger children. As a result, lead poisoning may lead to a lower IQ later in life, impaired growth and development, and impaired hearing. Lead poisoning can lead to fatal developments such as low birth weight, stillbirth, and miscarriages. Although harmful, lead poisoning is avoidable. The best course of
action is prevention. Testing yourself, your home, and children can be extremely helpful in avoiding the dangerous effects of contact with lead.
Testing for Lead Exposure
Consider talking to your pediatrician about testing your keiki for levels of lead in their bloodstream. Even low levels of lead can be harmful and should be taken seriously. According to the CDC, there are two types of blood collection tests. The first, and most minimally invasive test, is a Capillary sample, in which a finger or heel prick is used to test the blood. Capillary tests are helpful, but not always accurate and can result in false positives. The second option is a Venous sample, which includes taking a blood sample directly from the patient’s vein. Although
the Venous sample is more invasive, the test is often more accurate than the finger-prick.
At-home test kits can help determine if your keiki is being exposed to lead. These tests are most useful to those living in homes built before 1978, when lead paint became illegal. These test kits are available and useful for those worried that their home may contain lead. It should be mentioned, however, that these tests are not always fully accurate. There are also at-home kits for testing lead in soil. At-home test kits are useful, but for the most accurate results, consider hiring a professional.
Dietary and Cleaning Recommendations
Your keiki’s diet also has an impact on how much they absorb lead into their body. The CDC’s current guidelines recommend eating nutrient-rich foods such as those that have iron, vitamin C, and calcium to help slow down lead absorption and contribute to an overall healthy immune system.
Another preventative measure includes cleaning, which helps reduce exposure to lead dust.
Here are some helpful practices when cleaning your home in consideration of lead:
1. Frequently clean surfaces with a wet mop or cloth and vacuum with a HEPA Vacuum and HEPA filter
2. Wash hands and toys, especially before eating and sleeping
3. Use paper towels with soap and water to remove lead from surfaces
4. Wash lead-exposed clothes separately
Resources and Support
The Hawai‘i Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention program highlights everything you need to know about lead poisoning and where you can go if you have further questions. They offer an online questionnaire on lead safety, and they provide a phone number for you to call or text when seeking help. Their website also includes printable, educational materials on the prevention of lead poisoning for your keiki. For more hands-on learning, the program has a printable coloring book, a digital book, and free board books that you can read to your keiki so
that they too know how to keep themselves safe and have fun at the same time.
The Hi‘ilei Developmental Screening Program is a free resource for children up to five years old. The program provides a developmental screening that looks at how your keiki is developing compared to others their age. The program’s screening could catch symptoms of possible lead poisoning in your keiki.
A nonprofit, the Hawai‘i Children’s Action Network, released a report in 2020, the Hawai‘i Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention, discussing the health threats of lead poisoning and recommendations for improvement in Hawai‘i. The report is digital and free to use and download from their website.
Lehua Environmental Inc. is an organization that performs lead testing on soil and drinking water. You can reach them through their website, or you can call them at (808) 494-0365.
Government Initiatives
The CDC’s website has further information on guidelines and recommendations for lead poisoning. For instance, there are insurance and healthcare guides, prevention and screening guides, and more.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency, or the EPA, began safety measures towards replacing lead piping in Hawai‘i in May of 2024. The Biden-Harris Administration invested $28.7 million for Hawai‘i. Nationally, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law focuses on safe drinking water, specifically $15 billion for additional lead service replacements.
Lead exposure poses serious health risks, but the good news is that lead poisoning is preventable. Through testing, maintaining a healthy diet, and practicing preventative cleaning, you can keep your keiki safe. If you and your family are concerned about lead poisoning or exposure, consider contacting the Hawai‘i Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention program to learn more about how you can keep your family healthy and ensure a brighter future. Together, we can ensure our children grow up healthy and thriving, free from the dangers of lead poisoning.
Additional Contact Information:
Department of Health – Children with Special Health Needs Branch:
○ Email: DOH.LEAD@doh.hawaii.gov
○ Phone: 808-733-9012
The Parent Line:
○ Email: info@parentlinehawaii.org
○ Phone: 808-452-1832
For Testing & Screening:
Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies:
○ Email: info@hmhb-hawaii.org
○ Phone: 808-737-5805
'Ohana Safety Tip: Buckle Up, Keiki!
September is Child Safety Month, making it a great time to double-check that your keiki is riding safely! 🚗💛
In Hawaiʻi, children should ride in the appropriate car seat or booster for their age and size. Remember to:
Keep babies and toddlers rear-facing as long as their car seat allows.
Use a forward-facing car seat with a harness once they outgrow rear-facing.
Move to a booster seat only when your child has outgrown their forward-facing seat.
Keep using a booster until the vehicle seat belt fits properly.
Check that the car seat is installed tightly and the harness is snug every ride.
Extra ʻOhana Tip: Car seats can be tricky! A certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) can check your car seat and help make sure it is installed correctly and fits your keiki.
To find a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician near you, call The Parent Line Hawaiʻi at (808) 452-1832.
Books We Love This Month
September is Hawaiian History Month!
Hawaiʻi officially declared September as Hawaiian History Month, so letʻs gather the keiki close and share the stories that shaped these islands long before statehood, long before tourism, and long before the history books most of us grew up with.
Hawaii's Story By: Hawaii's Queen, Liliuokalani
The Heart of Hula
By: Edith Kanakaʻole by David Del Rocco
Heroes of Hawaiʻi
By: Kimo Armitage
'Ohana Activity: Discover Hawaiian History
September is Hawaiian History Month! Take some time this month to learn about Hawaiian history together as an ʻohana.
Choose a Hawaiian historical figure such as Queen Liliʻuokalani, King Kamehameha I, Princess Kaʻiulani, or Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole.
Together, learn 3 new things about the person you chose. Then have your keiki:
Draw a picture of them
Share their favorite fact
Find a place in Hawaiʻi connected to their story
Talk about why they are important to Hawaiʻi today
ʻOhana Challenge: Ask a kūpuna or older family member to share a moʻolelo about your family, your community, or Hawaiʻi when they were growing up. It’s a special way to learn history that you may not find in a book!
Our moʻolelo connect us to the people, places, and generations that came before us. 💛
