Lead Poisoning
Prevention Initiatives

Primary prevention of lead poisoning is critical to a thriving community. Women for a Healthy Environment collaborates with dozens of partners to protect community members, especially children, from the irreversible damage caused by lead in homes, schools and early learning centers. Family service providers, healthcare professionals, community advocates, academics, contractors, public officials, and impacted families are together working to make Allegheny County lead-safe.

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Get the Lead Out, Pittsburgh is a public awareness campaign designed to shine a light on lead poisoning in Allegheny County, helping families impacted by lead poisoning and enacting changes to make our community safer.

This grassroots campaign was launched at the 2019 Creating Healthier Communities Conference where 200 community members and partners gathered to learn from national leaders in lead poisoning prevention strategies. 

Lead Safe Allegheny is a county-wide coalition that envisions a community where all children and their families live and grow in a lead-safe environment. The mission of the Lead Safe Allegheny Coalition is to provide leadership and advocacy to advance strategic initiatives and foster collaboration among the community by focusing on primary prevention and ultimately creating a lead-safe environment. Dedicated resources are needed for lead testing, screening, lead hazard control and abatement. Assistance for community education and organizing, workforce development for lead professionals, increasing the supply of safe, affordable housing options, training in lead-safe work practices for property owners, contractors and more is needed. 

On October 28th, 2021, community leaders, policymakers, advocates, scientists and families from across our region, state and nation came together to recognize National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week and the progress and action required in Allegheny County.

This day-long summit focused on environmental justice, opportunities for local policy change, and action steps for every sector. You can watch each of the event sessions here.