LEAD SAFE PROGRAM

Lead Safe Program

The goal of the Lead Safe Program is to eliminate childhood lead poisoning in the City of Richmond. Childhood lead poisoning is a completely preventable disease that may be caused by a number of sources in a child’s environment. However, the most common source is chipping/peeling paint and lead contaminated dust (from lead-based paint) in houses built before 1978.

Lead interferes with normal brain development and may cause reduced intelligence, behavioral problems, and learning disabilities in children. Children who have lead poisoning may not show any early signs or symptoms. Therefore, having your child tested is the only way to know for sure whether he/she is lead poisoned. Ask your child’s doctor to perform this simple test.

Research has shown that it may be possible for pregnant women to pass lead to their unborn fetus. Pregnant women should take certain precautions to protect themselves and their unborn child. This is especially important if they work in an industry that may expose them to lead or if they suspect that they were lead poisoned as a child.

The Lead Safe Program provides lead education, screening, and free lead risk assessments/inspections for lead poisoned children. Please call (804) 205-3726 for information.

STEPS TO HELP PREVENT LEAD POISONING

• Wet clean floors and windowsills in the home regularly.
• Wash children’s hands and toys frequently.
• Be aware of chipping paint in the home. Use lead-safe practices to make sure painted surfaces are maintained or repaired. Improper paint repairs could create more hazardous lead poison conditions. Call the Health Department for advice.
• Be aware of toys, jewelry, dishes, pottery, and foods that may contain lead.
• Be aware of hobbies or jobs that may involve working with lead (stained glass making, pottery, painting/construction work).

HEALTHY HOMES INITIATIVE

What is the Healthy Homes Initiative?

The Richmond City Health District's Lead-Safe & Healthy Homes Initiative (LSHHI) takes a holistic approach to preventing diseases and injuries that result from housing-related hazards and deficiencies. We empower citizens and the Richmond community through education and intervention to properly maintain a healthy and safe home.
Program Brochure [English]    |   Program Brochure [Spanish]

Through the City funding, we offer free Healthy Homes Assessment to residents of Richmond City if there is a concern that the housing condition is causing a safety concern or aggravating one's health problem. Please call 804-205-3500 Ext 7 to leave a home assessment inquiry.

We offer free group workshops to the Richmond City communities. We also provide customized (fees applied) half-day or day-long workshops covering multiple topics. To schedule a session, please call Yvonne Johnson at (804) 205-3727.
Workshop Training Brochure

Healthy Home Tips and Practices:

• Dos and Don’ts (English or Spanish)
• Use of Low-Toxic and Safe Household Cleaners (English or Spanish)
• Smoke Free (Residential Tool Kits)
• Quit Now (Smoking Cessation)
• Healthy Homes Spring Cleaning Tips

RVA BREATHES 

RVA BREATHES

The RVA Breathes+ Pilot program is designed specifically to serve children of elementary school age, who live in the City of Richmond, and have asthma.  The enrollees and families will receive 4 intervention sessions, one month apart, to be conducted by a team of Community Health Worker (from one of our community partners) and a Healthy Homes Specialist (from RCHD).  The four sessions will cover basic asthma management education (including a little bit of physiology), medication usage & management, healthy homes assessment, and home-based trigger/irritant control and avoidance.  Both the child client and caregiver(s) will have separate opportunities to engage with the Team and receive age-appropriate education.  As a part of the process, the Team will connect and communicate with healthcare providers and school nurses, as necessary.  The participating family will receive intervention education and resources and may receive referrals for other services to better enable them to manage the child’s asthma.