Lead exposure continues to affect the health of children and families in New Hampshire. Although lead-based paints were banned in residential buildings 45 years ago, more than 32,350 New Hampshire children still live in homes that contain harmful levels of lead.
Why It Matters
Lead exposure in young children can cause developmental delays, cognitive deficits, learning disabilities, and behavior challenges. The amount of lead dust that can poison a child is so tiny you can’t see it on hands, toys, pacifiers, floors, and other surfaces. Crawling, sitting, and putting hands and toys in their mouths put young children at high risk for lead exposure. There are few signs or symptoms that a child is being exposed to lead - the only way to know is to test.
By the Numbers
32,350
children live in homes that were built before 1978 and may contain harmful levels of lead.
535
children per year are found to have elevated blood lead levels (levels about the CDC’s reference value) in New Hampshire.
25%
New Hampshire saw a 25% decrease in testing of one- and two-year-olds during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our Impact
In 2018, New Futures championed the legislation that required free lead testing for all one- and two-year-olds in New Hampshire.
